#Thanks for the snortles!

[wishingstarinajar]

RUIN DLC???

RUIN DLC!!!

[fanaticsnail]

Warmth

Masterlist Here.

Word Count: 1,500

Synopsis: Sir Crocodile is out for a walk in Arabasta with his pug, and he is stopped by a curious child who desires to pet them. As you, their guardian, approaches, Sir Crocodile is intrigued by your candor.

Themes: Sir Crocodile x gn!reader, mildly suggestive themes, spice hinted but not explicit, you have a child under your care named 'Yarin', Crocodile is a secret softie, the pug has been fan-named 'Esmeralda'.

Notes: I just wanted to write for Crocodile and see where it took me today.

Wandering the streets of Arabasta, leash in hand and peering down at the small creature attached to the end, Sir Crocodile sauntered throughout the dunes. A small, gem encrusted collar circled the neck of the timid pup, its whole body jiggling and shaking with every soft patter and touch.

As the pug puppy sniffed at a round, leafy shrubbery, a small giggle followed a high-pitched shriek of delight. Bounding happily over to both Sir Crocodile and slowly sinking to their knees, a small child sat at the base of his shiney, leather boots.

“Oh my goodness, mister! Your dog is so beautiful!” the little one spoke, Sir Crocodile taken aback by the immediate approach from the child, “May I pet them? What’s their name?”

Clearing his throat, and slowly tucking his golden hook behind his back to not frighten the child, he gently nodded down in affirmation. Immediately, the young child gestured out the backs of their knuckle for the tiny pug puppy to snortle at, waiting until the beast was ready to receive a greeting touch. At the small flicker of a pink tongue catching the child’s hand, they giggle and immediately go to scratching and enthusiastically massaging the tan and brown puppy.

“Her name is Esmeralda,” Sir Crocodile spoke out slowly, his brow arched up as he marveled at the interaction, “Or ‘Ezzy’ when she is behaving herself.” The child repeated the name back to the dog, cooing and preening at them while truly enjoying the soft bristles and snuffy nose.

“Aww, Ezzy is so cute!” they cheer up at him, “My house won't let me have any dogs there. I have always wanted one, but I haven't been able to get one-.”

“-Yarin, just what do you think you're doing?”

The child stiffened, their eyes widened in shock before a smile splits up their lips.

“I'm petting Ezzy!” Yarin calls over their shoulder while smoothing their jowls and squishing their cheeks affectionately.

Sir Crocodile peers up, his dark eyes peering at the approach of a figure rapidly sauntering towards him. He took you in, noticing your fluster and exasperation on your face. Your worn clothes were disheveled, your feet dusted with the sands of Arabasta, and your eyes were swollen with fatigue as if you had not slept for days.

“Is that what you're doing, sweetheart?” you coo down at the small child, “Yarin, I need you to help me with the shopping, okay my love? Say goodbye to your new friend and little Ezzy, and I'll be right over.”

Yarin let out a soft whine before hanging their shoulders and rising to their feet.

“Thank you for letting me pet your dog, mister,” the child expressed up at Sir Crocodile, “I really like Ezzy. I hope you have a nice day.”

“That's a beautiful thing to say, Yarin. Off you go now,” you encouraged, gesturing for them to go back towards town. Waiting until they were out of sight, you turned to the eight-foot tall, hulking mass of a gentleman clad in embellishment and wealth. Your eyes met with his, your own smile mirroring the child he allowed to pet Esmeralda with an easy elevation.

“I appreciate you humoring Yarin, sir,” you indicate with a polite bow, “There is not much joy found in a child’s life these days, and animals are truly a delight.”

“That they are,” he responded in kind. Esmeralda resumed snorting at the leaves by his feet before sitting on the yellowed sand. “Are you the child’s guardian?”

“That I am,” you again nod to him. His interest was piqued now, watching how you easily expressed your formalities with a learned politeness.

“Your landlord will not allow pets where you're staying?” he asked curiously, stilling his golden hook behind his back to shield it away from you. You narrow your eyes and quirk your head in response, attempting to read his intentions behind his question.

“No, sir. My landlord is quite controlling of his properties, to which I partially agree with.” You respond in kind, “I cannot hang a single picture frame of my family without the approval of the lord of Arabasta.” Your smile remains on your face as you now again to him, “If you'll excuse me, I must return to Yarin and ensure the groceries are handled appropriately. May you and your darling puppy, Esmeralda, have a pleasant day, sir.”

Finally turning to return to the small child, Sir Crocodile calls out softly after you. “May you and your child have the day of warmth you have blessed mine with.”

This stops your haste, turning briefly to gift him with another soft smile in gratitude to the well wishes he expressed. In lieu of the bored grimace he constantly held on his features, he reflected that warmth back onto you with a smile of his own.

This is where the unlikely friendship began between yourself and Sir Crocodile, the lord of Arabasta, landlord of your small cottage, and your current employer. Whatever you or your child needed, Sir Crocodile was the benefactor to your desires. That small kindness from a child that was not fearful of him, who saw Esmeralda before they noticed the scar splitting his face, or the hook embedded in his sleeve, became a treasured memory in his growing infatuation with you.

Lavish gifts of scholarships and school uniforms for Yarin, a new uniform for your employment beneath him, and sporadic gifts that depicted his adoration for you became a regular occurrence. Where you saw a man who cared for his employees and their families, he saw a lengthy courtship where he had an opportunity to express his kinder side. Sir Crocodile loved you, and he was happy for his romance to remain unrequited while you raised your child alone.

You never reciprocated or demonstrated your own infatuation for him, fearing you were reading into his luxurious gifts where only friendship was found. Instead, you were gracious and accepting of the comradery and rapport you found with one another. Organizing his life, ensuring he was cared for in health, and providing him with an ear to vent his frustrations was all you could offer him. This was enough for both of you, Yarin visiting your office after school to complete their homework with Miss All-Sunday, and you sitting at your desk and scheduling Sir Crocodile’s appointments.

Whatever life you fled from was smoke and forgotten memory, the new family found in an unlikely place solidified your loyalty to the lord you served.

This was enough for the both of you.

Until it wasn't.

It didn't take much prompting to land yourself on the knee of Sir Crocodile, lips colliding in a messy oscillation of need and lust. The passionate exchange continued from his office towards his bed chambers, both of you silently thanking the care Miss All-Sunday took to watch over your child while you found yourself entangled in Crocodile’s bedsheets. Flesh to flesh, heart to heart: you were his, and he was yours in each slow movement and passionate touch throughout the evening.

Morning flooded the room at the shift of curtains, the dunes of Alabaster contrasting over the horizon as breakfast was brought to the both of you.

Neither of you discussed the shift in your relationship, although his subtle lean into you and brush of his head against yours spoke volumes more than you could admit. Love, true and rich, was in the movement of his embrace with you. Breaking the silence, you turned to him and peered up at his warm gaze.

“Did you know then that this was where I would be?” Your hands found his chest, gently raking the tufts of hair donning his broad torso. Crocodile drew down his right hand to eclipse yours. Raising your knuckles to his lips, he kept eye contact while he kissed your skin.

“No,” he confessed with a twitch in his smile, “But I did know how I felt for you in that moment.”

“How did you feel for me?” you asked carefully, your smile beginning to tug up your features and elevated the swell of infatuation in your chest.

“That your warmth would ignite my blood with your presence, filling my cold heart with hope and joy as my dog gave to your child,” he whispered, releasing your hand and cupping your cheek, “And that I needed you cared for, in any capacity. Whether we were to be friends, or lovers, I craved that for you.” He drew you up to him, gently placing his lips to your forehead and stilling his breath with your own.

You arched away from his lips to your head, motioning up to press your lips slowly against his. Whatever lust there was prior, love consumed it. Lips moving softly and soothingly against one another, you found your peace in the arms and bed of the crocodile. The only thing that broke you out of your mesmiration with one another was the sound of a puppy’s bark and a high-pitched giggle of Yarin outside the door.

“We should get up,” Crocodile whispered against your lips, traveling his deep kiss down to your neck, “And see to Yarin and Esmeralda.” You nodded in response, hastily turning your head and claiming a more intentional kiss from Sir Crocodile before you allowed yourself permission to withdraw from his side.

As you tugged your attire over your body, he admired the litter of his lust that clothed your flesh. Each kiss marring your skin in a heart-shaped bruise showcased how deeply he loved you. As you spoke with Yarin outside the door, he honed in on your voice and your inflections.

He truly didn't know what to expect back then, walking his dog himself in the square. Whatever he had desired to achieve, he acquired something far sweeter than he hoped for.

He had you.

Tag list: @mfreedomstuff @daydreamer-in-training @since-im-already-here @gingernut1314 @writingmysanity @i-am-vita @indydonuts @feral-artistry @the-light-of-star @empirenowmp3 @racfoam @sunflowersatori @carrotsunshine @skullfacedlady @jintaka-hane @thenotsofantasticlifestory

[the-golden-comet]

✨Fun Line Tag Game 🧞‍♂️✨

Thank you so much for this tag, @aintgonnatakethis and this tag @thecomfywriter !! I have many fun lines that make me smile, laugh and snortle through my nostrils 😂✨

I’ll start with this one from my WIP: YWIMC 🧞‍♂️✨

Noah smirked gently as he used his sweatshirt sleeve to dust off the lamp. ‘….Hah….this lamp is almost too cliché……’ He chuckled as he joked with himself. ‘…..wonder if a genie’s gonna appear….? Right, as if.’

Yes.

The lamp began to tremble gently in Noah’s grasp as he gasped. It was as if a liquid was percolating deeply within the golden pot. Hotter, and hotter, until it nearly burned the brunette’s hands. Trying not to drop the trinket, Cauldwell hastily set it on the ground right as a stream of purple smoke plumed from the spout.

I’ll gently tag (no pressure): @fortunatetragedy , @frostedlemonwriter , @jev-urisk , @sableglass , @saturnine-saturneight , @willtheweaver , @ominous-feychild , @mauannacreates , @writeahurricane , @gioiaalbanoart , @wyked-ao3 , @thecoolerlucky , @avaseofpeonies , @rivenantiqnerd , @pluppsauthor , @ramwritblr , @orions-quill , @moltenwrites , @kaylinalexanderbooks , @leahnardo-da-veggie , @fantasy-things-and-such , @corinneglass , @corvys-clover , @mysticstarlightduck , @cowboybrunch , @words-after-midnight , @sentfromwolves , @illarian-rambling , @paeliae-occasionally , @honeybewrites , @drchenquill , @theink-stainedfolk , +open tag! 💛✨

[mechformers]

I made a meme for your Ma Miles fic cuase I thought it was funny

Love it btw 🫶 keep up the good work can’t wait for the next chapter

*bonus meme :P*

Oh my gosh, yaaaaasssss!!!!! 😄👏👏👏

I snortled so loudly when I saw this, because it's so true! This is so the reader protecting Spider against Quaritch, and that is so Quaritch protecting the reader and spider, his family min you, against Neytiri XD

Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for not only making these funny memes, but also for reading Ma Miles! 🙏🥰 I am eternally grateful ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[mygloviesme]

cool about it. || myg

no. 10: no regrets

predebut/debut!yoongi x female idol

summary: kanako is an established idol with a growing career and a secret relationship with a producer from her label, haneul. when she’s asked to work with yoongi and rm to create a track for her, she gains unexpected feelings for a certain upcoming rapper. with her increasing fame, her controlling boyfriend, a set of six boys who seem to have grown an attachment to her, and a new boy who’d give her the world, how will she figure out a way to balance it all?

(definitely inspired by boygenius)

word count: 3.6k

genre: ANGST, friends(?) to lovers, slow burn, lots of pining, fluff

chapter warnings: toxic relationship (not w/myg), mentions of mental health, mention of a box cutter, SLIGHT SMUT

inspo song: billie bossa nova by billie eilish

"it's hard to stop it once it starts."

MARCH 7TH, 2012, 8:02AM

Bang-PD enters the room with an obvious rush. He was never the type to be late, so being two minutes late was almost inexcusable for himself. He sits down with only his usual meeting binder, stocked to the fullest on what we are to talk about. He adjusts the frames of his glasses before taking them off to rub his eyes of sleep. 

“Uh- sorry, everyone. Had a long night.” He mumbles. I know why, because of the scandal. It seems obvious at this point that this man has been losing sleep because of it. Answering media questions, doing stand alone press conferences, no thanks to me. I try not to feel bad, but just like many times before, it’s impossible not to. Although the staff members here always give me a genuine smile and ‘hello’, they’re always somewhat in a hurry. It’s been quiet chaos in the BigHit building, and I have been told minimal information. To keep me safe, sane? Probably. 

“Okay everyone, thank you for coming. A couple things,” He says, looking at me and the seven boys who sit in front of him. 

“First, as some have you may have heard, we��ve lost some important sponsors. It’s lost us a lot of money and time, but that’s beside the point.” Nice. 

“While we’ve lost sponsors, we’ve gained some better ones thankfully. They’ve been very helpful during this time in support of you, Kanako. Saying, and I quote, we join this company as we are in full support of women. Our deepest condolences for you during this time.”

“What? Did someone die?” Jungkook snortles. No one else reacts. He’s quick to shut back down.

“I didn’t know anyone was in support of me.” I whisper. 

Bang gives me an empathetic smile, “There’s lots of people on your side, Kanako. Moving on,”

I guess I really have been out of the loop since losing all contact with the outside world. But lots of people on my side also means lots of people who are not on my side, and that’s what flutters outside this very building. On the TV screens that have quieted down in the midst of this scandal for a tiny bit, but there’s still crumbs. 

“They’ve given us a generous sum which resulted in us making this team decision.”

Oh no. What’s he going to say? They’re finally set to kick me off? They don’t need the income I bring in anymore, or actually, lack thereof now. This silence is deafening. 

“Kanako, we’ve decided to send you to Jeju for a few days. Four days to be exact. If you’re willing to, or wanting to. Now, we have enough for the seven boys to come along as well, but if you’d like to have this time for yourself that’s completely understandable as well. The decision is yours.” He says. My mouth is in a shameless ‘o’ shape from my tiny gasp. This is far from what I expected. If anything, I would’ve never guessed this in a million years. 

“Why send me off?” I phrase it like they’re trying to give me, which causes Bang’s face to give an unimpressed expression. “We’re not sending you off, we want you to have some time away from this building. It’s too dangerous to let you go to restaurants still and we’ve managed to find a secluded spot for you to enjoy, if you’d like.” All this for me? Something else good has come, surprisingly. My unlucky streak has finally ended, with a triumph of celebration in my brain. Serotonin that I haven’t unlocked, you could say.  It’s no doubt in my mind that I want the boys to come, looking at Jungkook and seeing his begging eyes like a dog about to go for a walk. He’s almost shaking with how much excitement he has. 

But I keep myself calm and collected, nodding slowly. “Yes, I’d like to go. W-With the group. Will it be all shared?” 

“There’s enough room for the boys to share and for you to have your own. But yes, you’ll be in the house together.” Yet another recipe for disaster? Or maybe, on the positive side, an adventure with seven boys I love deeply. And lots of fun. 

And just in time for Yoongi’s birthday.

Bang-PD turns his head to the boys, “Would you all like to-”

“Y-Yes.” Jungkook stutters, being on the brink of imploding. His eagerness only makes me smile. 

The boys nod along happily, “Alright, it’s settled. The plane leaves in four hours, giving you all three hours to pack. There’ll be staff members coming to stay near your villa and check in every once in a while. But Kanako,” His sudden serious tone making me gain a burst of anxiety, 

“We’ve made sure this whole trip will be as private as it could possibly be. We wanted to do this while the boys are still trainees so there’s a level of anonymity. And now that fans and reporters have stopped harassing us, we can leave peacefully. From the back of the building, that is.”

I nod, “I-I trust you.” I think. 

MARCH 7TH, 2012, 9:15AM

The boys and I have all scattered to our dorms to begin packing, Jungkook frantically barging in my dorm with a worried look plastered on his face. “You have my red jacket!” He cries. 

I tilt my head with innocence, “No I don’t.” I reply simply. This is a lie. But I just love the way it looks on me. “Liar!” He exclaims before running to my closet, rummaging through my belongings. I try grabbing him but he’s too driven to find what he’s looking for. After destroying my closet and drawers, he turns around in defeat. “Where is it?”

“I don’t kno-”

“Kanako please! We don’t have much time!” He pleads.

I sigh, standing there for a second more before reaching into my suitcase, grabbing the thin red piece of clothing he was dying for. He takes a breath of relief before kissing my cheek and running back to his dorm. I place my hand on my hip to assess the damage that my room is in. I’ll clean it up when I get back from the trip, I think to myself. I’ve always been one for procrastination, delaying, flaking. It’s a horrible habit I’m trying to cut back, but one thing at a time, right? 

I finish packing my toiletries, makeup, and other small accessories I might want to bring. I’ve been living in sweatpants and hoodies from different members of the group so I try bringing clothes that might look..cute? Since the flight is a little over an hour I decide to bend down on the floor to find something decent to wear. You’d think from being an idol for two years I’d know how to properly dress myself, but I don’t. 

As I sort through the pile of clothing, I hear someone come in. It’s Jihyo, a staff member who works here. She closes the door behind her quickly, holding a big rectangular box in her arms. 

“Oh you got it, thank you!” I gasp happily as she hands me the box. It’s heavier than I thought, my body plummeting down from the weight of it. She laughs and helps me place it on my bed. 

I can see her face cringe, “I really hope it’s the one you asked for.” She says. 

My eyes lighten up as I graze my hand over it. It’s Yoongi’s birthday gift, a new keyboard. It definitely left a hole in my pocket, but for him, I wanted to get him something that would last forever. 

I nod eagerly, glancing at her then back to the keyboard. “It’s perfect. It’s exactly what I wanted, thank you.” 

She says a quick no problem before I give her a hug, letting her escape back to her job. I hunt through my things, looking for anything I could to make the keyboard look less naked. I look at my shoes, the ones I wore for my debut. They’re ballerina-inspired with ribbon lacing to tie up your calf. I suck in my teeth and grab a pair of scissors, cutting them. It doesn’t hurt that much to damage them, but it was a vital memory walking around in them. The memories I made performing with them, the pain-staking wounds I’d get on the back of my ankle after the shows ended. But it’s for a good cause.

I grab a box-cutter to open the packaging first, the heaviness of the object making it much harder to do this as fast as I could. I place it back on my bed and the stand it comes with. 

I wrap the ribbon along the height of the keyboard, tying it in a nice bow. I pat it down to make sure it looks nice and pretty before snaking my way to Yoongi’s dorm. The hyung line is all packing, Hoseok still deciding on the clothes to bring. He’s very picky with his style, and since it’s a vacation, he seems to be overthinking. “You know we’re not gonna be around anyone else.” I laugh at him playfully, which he responds with a serious expression. 

“I don’t wanna hear any of that. Look, this tank top or this one?”

He told up two black tank tops. But one does have thicker material and looks like it would fit him better, “The right one.”

“My right or yours?”

He takes my unamusement as an answer. I search through the dorm and end up in the bathroom where Namjoon is, packing all his toiletries. “Where’s Yoongi?” I ask, he shrugs. Very helpful, thank you. I give up eventually with this dorm, speed-walking to the other where the young ones are. It’s the same scene, giving me deja vu. Except Jimin is the one on the floor, indecisive. 

I sigh, “Where’s Yoongi?”

“Bathroom. Said Namjoon was taking too long.”

“What, is he peeing or something?”

“Dunno.”

Sometimes they aggravate me. Just like brothers. I walk to the bathroom where it’s open and see Yoongi fixing his hair. “What’re you doing?” He jumps from the sound of my voice. 

“J-Just-”

“Checking yourself out? You couldn’t wait for Namjoon to be done so you could fix your hair?” I giggle. 

He huffs and stops from moving, coming closer to me. He doesn’t hesitate to kiss me, placing his hands on my shoulders. He’s confident with this one, much like the others. I move my head towards his, filling the empty space between our bodies. 

“Can you guys please stop making out? We’re gonna be late.” Jungkook whines from behind us, making Yoongi and I part. I nod and nod, knowing we were in a time crunch then and now. 

“I know people! Give me some time. Yoongi, get over here.” I say, gesturing for him to follow me. I place my hands to my side, causing Yoongi to scoop up one with his own. We walk to my dorm and before I open the door I turn to him. “Close your eyes.” I say. He widens his eyes, “What’re you gonna do to me?” He smirks. I puff my lips, “Shut up.”

“Okay, okay.” He says and finally closes his eyes. I open my door and lead him by his hand to my bed. I wait a moment to look at him as his eyes are closed, wanting to savor this moment. I take a deep breath,

“You can look now.” I whisper. 

He’s quick to look at me first, which makes me dart me eyes to my bed, giving him a hint. He looks down slowly, seeing the keyboard laying on my bed. He doesn’t say anything at first, only staring. He’s great at making it hard for me to read him. He places his hand on the keys, almost unbelieving that it’s real. 

“Kanako…” he breathes. 

My lips curl into a delicate smile, “Yes?”

“This is…” He trails off.

I place my hands behind my back and lean on my tip-toes to kiss his cheek. “This is for you.”

He shakes his head softly, “I don’t know what to say. This must’ve cost a fortune.” 

“You’re worth a fortune. I wanted you to be able to have this for a long time. Whenever you need it. Whenever inspiration strikes you next. When you go on tour and you just need to play.” I reply. He moves his hand to the bow, furrowing his brows. 

“I recognize this.” He says.

“It’s just some ribbon I had lying around.” I lie. 

He hums and unties it. I stare at his airy fingers as they move, pulling on the bottom to unravel it. He picks up the bow and looks at me. “What?” I ask with bright eyes, hoping he doesn’t notice the frayed edges. “Put it on.” He asks. 

“W-What? Like, where?”

“In your hair.” He speaks like I should know what he’s talking about. 

O-Oh, I mutter. Dirty mind Kanako. I place it on my head, adjusting my hair so the knot doesn’t get tangled. It’s very hard to do this without a mirror. I tighten it around my hair and pull out some strands in the front of my face, running my hands through my hair and looking at Yoongi with curiosity. 

“Does it look okay?”

Instead of responding he leans in for a melting kiss, placing his hands around my neck. He moves his body so I can follow him, eventually both sitting on our knees on the floor. We stay like this for a good second before he moves me once again, now being on top of me. Both of his legs lay beside each of my thighs.  

The position is intimate and close, and I have a feeling in my stomach that’s burning down to my underwear. I notice his hips moving slightly, causing more friction between us. The bulge of his sweatpants grows onto my stomach, causing a sharp groan from him. It’s like he’s needy, the way he’s riding on me. There’s no control from his side. No pulling on me or tugging me where he’d like me to be. He lets me enjoy his deprivation, and I do. A lot. I touch his stomach from underneath, rubbing up and down his chest. 

Our heads bob as the kissing becomes more messy and heated. There’s this sensual fighting between the both of our bodies, like it’s been ages since we’ve loved one another like this. The ringing in my ears becomes stagnant as Yoongi speaks, exhausted but determined. 

“I don’t think I can handle not feeling you.” He says. His cheeks are flushed and red. I spot his forehead glistening ever so slightly. 

I take off my shirt in one swift move, revealing my lack of undergarments. The way he looks down to my breasts is one I keep in my back pocket. His hands start on my stomach, pressing down gently so I feel every crease and bump of his fingers. I lean my head back and moan quietly, the purlices of both his hands lining perfectly with my chest. His pointer finger swipes over my nipple, making me flinch with pleasure. He drifts his hand to my mouth, dipping his index fingers in my mouth before sliding them down to smear my own saliva on my breasts.

It’s slick and slow, but it’s not teasing. It’s perfect and intimate. He lowers his body to become face to face with my chest, looking up to me as his mouth hovers over my nipple. 

“This okay?” He whispers. I bite my lip and nod. He flicks his tongue on the sensitive, hard skin. I whimper in response as he proceeds to take me in his mouth. He sucks gently, his warm tongue doing this thing that I’m not sure I can explain with words. All I know is that my eyes are focused on him, watching him practically eat me alive. He laps up my nipple faster and I notice the saliva from his mouth is endless, dripping down his chin. He’s not afraid to make this so erotic and utterly filthy. I can’t stop my hands from grazing down to his opened legs, caressing his bulge. He sucks in his teeth, which I love that he does that, and places his forehead down on my chest. It seems I’ve broken him down with that small motion which gets me excited to continue more. I bring my other hand to fiddle with his zipper, teasing him.

“Are we really doing this?” He whispers while his head lays in between my breasts.

“What exactly do you think this is?” I tease. 

“Only what you want.” He responds. 

I take that as a go to unbutton his pants and pull the zipper down. Everything is so fast and progressing quickly, but I choose to follow it. Don't overthink it. It’s good right now. 

He takes his head from my chest and goes back to sitting up, setting his hands down on the floor to balance himself. I prop my body up as I play with the waistband of his boxers that peek from the opening of his pants. He shakes his head with a modest smile, “Baby, baby, baby.” He mumbles. 

As I proceed to travel my hand below his boxers, there’s a storming pile of men that barge in through the door. And I’m topless, with my hands down Yoongi’s boxers. 

It’s Jungkook, Namjoon, and Hoseok. Everyone is frozen in place. I look at Yoongi who looks at them, then at me and my current situation. Uh..uh-uh, he says as he hurries as he grabs my shirt to drape it over my chest quickly. “Kanako…” He mumbles and looks at his underwear, my hand still remaining at the crime scene. I remove it and we detach ourselves from each other, awkwardly. All I can do is wrap the shirt around my body and completely flush. Yoongi’s pants are still unbuttoned, which he doesn’t seem to notice.

“O-Oh. We- um. We just need to-” Jungkook stutters.

“We need to get going.” Namjoon states. 

I gulp and nod, “Yes, right.” They stand there for a little while longer. I wait for them to leave so I can put on my shirt, but they don’t seem to be moving. “C-Can you guys-” I mutter.

Oh yeah, of course, right. They all say and shuffle out the door. I’ve never heard such a deafening silence as they leave, shutting the door behind them. I drop my shirt and tuck my head between my legs, sighing heavily. 

“Oh my god.” 

“I know.”

“Oh my god.”

Yoongi crawls over to me and tilts my head up, giving me an empathetic pout. “I know.” He says again. 

“They saw my boobs, Yoongi!” I whine. 

“I know! It was awful, I’m sorry.” 

I puff my lips with a bit of attitude, “You should be! It’s not like they saw anything of yours that they haven’t already seen.” He caresses my face, comforting me. 

“They’ll get over it soon, I promise.”

MARCH 7TH, 2012, 2:57PM

The car ride to the airport was awkward. The plane ride was awkward. The car ride to our villa was even more awkward. It seems the boys can’t even look at me, and when they do, it’s not at my face. The outfit I decided on was just a simple mid-thigh dress with black tights! It’s not like my cleavage is even out, but it feels like they almost have x-ray vision. I assume the ones who saw me topless told the others because like I said, none of them can look at me. 

It isn’t until we’re sitting inside this amazing villa and I still see them being so painfully quiet that I get frustrated. 

I sit up aggressively from the couch we’re all resting at, “Okay everyone, they’re just boobs. Don’t act like you’ve never seen any before. That is unless I’m sitting with a bunch of virgins.” I speak, my frustration very obvious with my choice of words. It’s unlike me to speak this way, but how they’re acting is stupid and unfair. Jungkook shuffles uncomfortably, “It wasn’t just that.”

I roll my eyes, “Me and Yoongi, we’re…we’re just doing stuff! Like normal people do.”

“Like couples do?” Namjoon says, raising his head from his phone. I freeze up. I didn’t want that label yet, but it gets my point across so to hell with it. 

“Y-Yeah, it’s normal. So can everyone get over it?” I sit back down, only to get up once again. 

“And start knocking before you enter a room, please!” I exclaim, plopping down on the couch finally. The boys all mumble to themselves before coming to agreement. “You’re right Kanako, we’re sorry. That was a private moment and we shouldn’t have treated you differently…because of it.” Namjoon puts down his phone as he speaks, giving me his full attention. 

I nod, satisfied. “Thank you.” Yoongi, who sits next to me, gives me a reassuring squeeze on my thigh. 

The door bursts open, contradicting what I just asked, but sure. Incomes Jihyo, the staff member who assisted me with Yoongi’s present, with two bags in her hands. She pulls down her mask, breathing heavily. Might I add she’s always very eager to please. You didn’t hear it from me, but I see her ogling Seokjin often. 

 “I-Is this what you all wanted?” She asks, pulling out a bottle of alcohol. 

click here to read more of this story!

[iheartgracie]

claudiagideon quotes from foolish hearts

“Leaving me. And Gideon. In the bathroom. Alone.

“Should I…?” he says after a moment, glancing at my hand, which I’m now cradling to my chest for no reason at all. The pain’s settled to a dull twinge.

“You don’t have to.”

“Want to.” He shifts closer. “But not if you don’t want me to,” he says, quieter, and oddly serious.

I swallow. “It is an … integral … part of the process.”

He smiles a little, takes my hand in both of his, points my finger, and raises it to his face. I feel the warmth from his mouth, the press of his lips on top of the bandage.

I never think about my hand being small. I never think of any part of me being small, really, but it looks small in Gideon’s.

He lowers my hand but doesn’t let go. I try to say “Thanks” but the word sticks in my throat, comes out more like “Thurnk.”

He just smiles, and I realize how close we’re standing.”

“You got Battle Quest,” I say.

“I did.”

“How come?”

“Because you like it,” he replies, and then makes a face. “So, you know, it must be fun. I just … figured I’d try it.”

“I glance over at Gideon and find he’s looking at me. His gaze darts back to the screen, but there’s a small smile on his lips.”

“What is it? What’s wrong?”

I swallow. “I need a favor.”

“Anything.”

“Okay. But I’ll wait with you until it comes?”

“If you want to.”

He does. And when the bus comes, we stand up, and he sways toward me a little. I get the feeling he wants to give me a hug. Like we’re parting for some significant period of time. Like we’re … people who hug each other good-bye.

But he keeps his hands in the pocket of his hoodie, a half smile on his lips.

“Be safe, okay?”

I nod. And then I hug him.

Just briefly, so quick that he barely has time to take his hands out of his hoodie and hug back.”

“Why wouldn’t you want maximum interaction between the two most essential parts of the meal?”

“Is cereal a meal?”

“The way I make it, it is.”

I can’t help but grin.

“I will make you Froot Loops. You’ll never go back.”

“Okay. Make me some Froot Loops right now.”

“Right this second?”

I nod.”

“So crunchy cereal only. First entry for JustClaudiaWallaceThings.”

“Ugh. No one would follow that account.” It’s the same thing Iris said about my “update account,” and it’s not wrong.

“Why not?”

“’Cause there’s nothing to say.”

He makes a noise of outrage.

“Crunchy cereal only is the first entry!”

“I think it’s confirmed that like ninety-nine percent of the population likes crunchy cereal only.”

“I need to see some literature on that.”

“I would follow JustClaudiaWallaceThings. There are so many of them.”

“Name three.”

“I will name six.”

I purse my lips, trying to suppress a smile. “Okay. Go.”

“Number one, looks good in yellow.”

“His gaze darts back and forth between me and his cereal bowl.

“Number six, best laugh. Ever.” His eyes land on me, fix there for a moment. “When you make Claudia Wallace laugh, you feel like you’ve earned something.”

I swallow. I want to look away, but I can’t. “It’s like a snort,” I say. “Like a snort chortle. It’s a snortle.”

He moves a little closer. “Is that a Pokémon?”

“Gideon—”

“Do you want to go to Homecoming with me?”

“Yeah. Okay.”

“Awesome.”

“Unless you really like the person you go with. Then it sucks less.”

“Hm.”

“Maybe you should give it a try,” she says as we make our way up the path to the arts building.

“You should come.”

“I’m not gonna third-wheel you and Gideon.”

“It’s not … it isn’t like a date date.” I reach for the door.

“Claudia, I will bet you ten thousand dollars Gideon considers this a date date.”

“I don’t have ten thousand dollars.”

“Good, because you’d lose it,”

“I wear a dress I wore to my cousin’s wedding last year. It’s nothing particularly special, but Gideon tell me it’s “Beautiful. Radiant. Excellence,” and I can’t stop smiling.”

[psychedelicpaula]

STARRY ENCOUNTER (071120)

It was only 5:45 PM yet the skies are already starting to scream for midnight. The glint of orange along the incomprehensible horizon will soon be devoured by the impending darkness as that of a wolf’s thick fur… or as that of a person’s pupil gleaming with desire only to see despair.

But I still decided to go out.

I definitely should go out….

I bugged off to a clearing of crimson velvets and deep orange zests as I anticipate the stars and the moon to finally be reborn. Knowing that this place is perfect to at least feel myself unruffled. Unruffled from a searing pain I could not stand, but do not want to be separated from – a goddamned conundrum.

It has been months since I first endured this misery – my misery – that kept on lingering in my cerebral and saccharine aspirations. My misery that kept permeating through walls I knew I thoroughly built for my emotions and my feelings to… at least be at rest.

But no.

I was wrong.

I was so wrong to assume that I could answer the question as to why love can be so cruel. As to why love – behind all the euphoric sensations and glittering bliss – can be so guilty for having tortured me, murdered me, buried me, sent me down to hell, without any hesitations but with me still protecting it. With me still denying to the jury that it was able to do all of those to me. With me still lavishing in the arduous thought of calling out his name even when–

“Is this what you’re fond of doing?”

I felt my soul crashing to an irreverent surface of bushfires, stabbed hearts, and bleeding vaginas when I heard it.

His voice. His voice. His voice. His voice. His voice.

His voice reverberating in my ear to the deepest lairs of my being.

His voice bringing me to domains surpassing bafflement and scrape.

His voice serving as a trigger to the amnesia I ought to have whenever his presence is in its closest proximity.

But that’s only his voice. What more with his eyes? What more with his hands? What more with his mind? What more with his heart?

What more with him? What more? What more? What more? What more? Wha–

But fortunately, my soul came back when he threw me an I didn’t expect to see you here. Surprised that it is not a question, but rather a statement of wonder with the perfect hint of endearment. This time I decided to look at him. To act as if I didn’t hear everything he just said. To act as if everything’s okay. To act like he wasn’t the cause of what I’m feel–

“Hey. I didn’t notice you were there,” I lied.

“Yeah? I was almost screaming just to get your attention.” Believe me, I have been doing so much more than that just to get yours.

“You’re over-reacting, Jordan.” I said with my eyes squinted, half a smile, and a quick snortle.

He didn’t reply but instead smiled the silliest of smiles while giving me a playful lift of the shoulders. He then looked down on me, and for a brief moment, our eyes locked with such a sudden tension that I felt his senses rummaging down my spine.

He then looked away. So did I.

With just a single non-meaningful move of him breaking our eye contact, I already found myself drowning in a pool of possibilities. Possibilities that range from He must have felt the connection that we had to He might feel the same way as I do to He might not like me to He will never like me to He can never love me.

“You want root beer?” I heard him say in the most upbeat of tones, the happiest of them.

I didn’t notice that he was already sitting beside me – legs flat on the ground, root beer in hand, and eyes directed to the darkening sky even though his question was supposed to be directed at me.

“No, thank you.” I said with a slight tremble in my voice whilst using some of my courage left to take the chance to ogle at his face.

A chance I might have been refusing to take ever since I knew, I really knew, what I felt for him.

A chance that might just take the least of probabilities the moment I decide to go through a barrier I’m not supposed to trespass.

A chance. A chance. A simple mindless spot of an opportunity that meant death once he finds out – finds out about me – about the real me.

But I still took it.

I looked at his face like it’s a calling the heavens gave me, treating it as a sign that there might really be a paradise in the afterlife. Or a question, a wondering, if this might already be the promised paradise and that there is no need for me to die and to undergo judgment just to reach it.

His jawline, his cheeks, his nose, his lips, his chin, the waves of black strands of purity adorning his head like a crown are unmatched. But nothing can ever defeat the infinite wonders his eyes can offer – an unobvious mystery of fate one can only decipher after being mystified and mesmerized upon its first look. With one painted brown like the furious glint of an eagle’s feather, and with one glistening like an emerald to a sea.

Then he looked at me.

And luckily, I was able to avoid the intensity his gaze might bring, just subtly bringing my attention back to the quickly darkening skies. But I know that I wasn’t able to avoid one thing – a definite catch of glittering eyes on heaven itself by his periphery, and that brings me one step closer to another chain of endless possibilities.

“Well, what brings you here? I didn’t know you stayed out until dark.” Well, at least that question is far more answerable than being asked the reason why I’m looking at him intently. Too intently.

“Just trying to find a little bit of peace, of calm. I realized I need it every now and then.” This time I didn’t lie.

He gave me a silent nod, an approving look, almost the greatest act of validation that could possibly save me from just tearing my heart out from its cage.

I almost wished that he would continue asking me about it, about why I’m trying to find peace. It’s as if I’m itching, I’m burning, with the desire to have him pry, to have him coax, to have him know the real reason I’m here. Almost. Almost. Almost.

“How about you? What in the world made you sit here with me?” I asked him while attempting to pull-off my most genuine smile.

I almost thought he’ll ignore my question, preferring to constantly look at the dimly visible stars of the now sapphire sky. But then he answered with a tone so convincing.

“I come here pretty often. The night sky’s view is beautiful here.” He slowly panned his head to my direction when he said that.

And there it is again.

A brief moment of perpetuating gazes being exchanged while we feel the stars peeking at us. The look on his face is filled with bemusement, with happiness, with exciting memories of the night sky flashed all over its majesty. Yet I know I could only return him a look of confusion, a look of terror, a look of impending failures and assumptions. But all of those were erased the moment I felt his stinging gaze shift from my eyes to…

My lips.

Cracked to an endless amount of crevices, dried to wounds of deafening curses, shut to a tenuous prison of madness.

Yet he took a moment to look at it.

A moment.

Then once again, he looked away.

He looked away.

As he should.

[with-the-same-tattoos]

Kani 🥺 why are you so attractive

?????????????

For THIS??????

Im sorry im trying 2 be nicer 2 people who compliment me but dude 😭😭😭 im dying i look like a 1820s miner about 2 die of scurvy AND ITS A LITTLE FUNNY?

[cobrakiin]

I dont know who's been leaving all the guest reviews on S&M since I posted the new chapter but please know one of you guys made me snortle with the language you used, thank you 😂

[elauniesdream]

[20:45]

“...I wouldn’t drag it on...I’d just tell her I like her.” 

You feel Jaehyun shrug with your back pressed against his side. His arm spreads behind you, across the backrest of the couch, fingers mindlessly toying with your hair. Your attention was no longer on your dimmed phone screen the moment you heard the boys openly talked, for the third time, over the movie that was playing.

Something about a book Yuta’s been reading, not that it’s relevant whatsoever, but the movie isn’t that particularly engaging either. Your ears perked up when you heard said boy turning around to ask his mates what they would do if there is someone they happen to be interested in. 

For some reason, no one opted to answer other than your best friend, Jaehyun. You spared them no attention, instead, taking the opportunity to search up the casts of the movie, a habit everyone pointed out over the times you’ve gathered for your movie nights. You silently agreed with his nonchalant reply however, that’s definitely what you would do as well.

“Are you sure man? You’ve been pining after her for months now.” Johnny chuckles, giving Jaehyun a sly look before he quickly turns back to the TV screen, hiding his grin behind his cup just as the other guys throw in a few ‘ooh’s and ‘aye’s. Especially Mark who naturally starts to slap the older guy repeatedly on his back, making the situation way more amusing than it deems to be.

“You like someone?” You turn to look at your best friend, evidently surprised that maybe you’re the last one to know. But then Jungwoo, who’s just returned from the kitchen, plops down on the spot beside you and repeats the same line in a curious manner, a bit too exaggerated for your liking. 

Jaehyun begins to feel flustered now that the attention is on him, yours mainly, with your eyes staring right into his wavering ones. He clears his throat but says nothing in return, only patting his flushed ear instinctively, avoiding your gaze as he attempts to copy Johnny when he brings the rim of his glass up to his lips. There’s an awkward ambience as the others watch you two, but you soon let out a snort to see Jaehyun biting on the obviously hard glass, what an odd guy. 

“You should’ve told me.” You say before shifting from your spot, out of Jaehyun’s arm to grab some popcorn from the large bowl that Jungwoo’s refilled, also suddenly sensing that it’s probably not so appropriate to be all pressed up against his side – now that you’ve learnt about your best friend having feelings for someone out there.

Jaehyun frowns at your movement but remains in his position, watches as you ruffle Jungwoo’s hair with your free hand before settling closer to said boy. The gesture prompts annoyance in his chest. The guy retracts his arm from the backrest to massages his muscles, as if the weight of your head was the cause of his ache — in which it definitely wasn’t, he just wants your attention back on him, as much as he hates the attention from everyone right now.

“...But that’s cute man, do I know her?”

Your casual manner unknowingly frustrates him. Does it mean you don’t really care that it might not be you? Doubt begins to settle in. That would mean you don’t really see him as anything more than a friend. He wants you to care.

“Let’s just continue watching, y’all just missed the whole climax damn.” He grumbles, completely brushing the question off, making you look at him weirdly. The others share their glances before turning back to the screen, respecting their friend’s own way of handling his love life. Though they were kinda hoping for something to finally happen.

And as if nothing happened, you all continue your movie night; with you throwing popcorn at Mark whenever he would get unnecessarily loud for no particular reason. Donghyuck would join in – purely satisfied as long as the elder is watching the movie with him, and you’d only get scolded by Doyoung for wasting food – while Johnny and Yuta try to defend you with the so call five-seconds rule. You thank them for that.

You remain by Jungwoo’s side, not solely because he won’t let go of the popcorn bowl but also because you’re just cuddly, and Jungwoo happens to be the closest person after Jaehyun, who you now maintain a fair distance from. The guy’s been awfully quiet, keeping his eyes on the screen though his mind wanders elsewhere. He turns to Taeil on the other side, hoping to get some advice or just reassurance but he is fast asleep, as expected.

After what feels like half an hour, Jaehyun finally looks at you.

And he tries to ignore the fact that his heart literally speeds up every time he sees you but that’s how it is. He’s whipped. Even with you leaning comfortably onto Jungwoo, making him greatly overwhelmed with a mix of jealousy and utter infatuation. Jaehyun really really likes his best friend.

He takes a breath to calm his feelings down like he usually manages t— Honestly...fuck it.

Jaehyun abruptly stands up from his spot with much force, surely earning attention from everyone including you, once again. Before he can even make up some dumb excuse about his damn muscles aching or his need to visit the toilet, his heart decides for him. Not really in the way he imagines because he only manages to turn to you and then tugs on your fingers, making you sit up straight with a confused expression. The other guys snicker quietly in the background.

Letting out an exasperated sigh – at himself – Jaehyun finally takes your hand in his, pulling you up and straight to his bedroom. You being you, successfully grab a handful of popcorn in the midst of it all before you let him drag you, not questioning much.

“What’s up Jae?”

You prompt him, letting go of his hand to pick a single popcorn from your palm and bring it to your mouth. He watches you and finds the chance to catch your hand again, almost missing it, before he pulls you down to sit beside him. 

“This is very hypothetical but...”

“But?”

“What would you do if I told you that I uh...maybe lowkey like you?”  

You look at him, a gaze he finds hard to read. Pure silence as you both just stare at each other with your hand unknowingly still in his. Not to his surprise, you suddenly stuff the rest of the popcorn in your mouth, presumably to avoid speaking which earns a soft whine from your best friend and you honestly can’t help but smile through your full cheeks. You’re both just acting like children. 

“Maybe lowkey?” Your voice comes out muffled, glancing down at your hands now fully intertwined. 

“You know what I mean..” Jaehyun groans, the heat from his blushing ears becoming more prominent to the both of you by the second, he pushes his back onto his bed, pulling you with him though keeping a reasonable distance. 

“I really don’t, Jae.” Teasing Jaehyun is something you’ve always been fairly good at. Mainly because you can get away with it, unlikely the others whom he always makes sure to get back at. This time, you’re met with silence as you both absently look at the ceiling and you can start to feel the uneasy tension.

“To be honest...I’ve never thought about you and I being anything more than friends..”

You speak again and hastily continue before he gets to say anything, “You said if you like someone, you’d tell them straight away. Why didn’t you tell me?” 

“I don’t know. You’re not just...anyone.” You turn to him this time to meet his side profile, dimple sinking into his cheek yet he’s not actually smiling. “I mean it though, if it was anyone else, I wouldn’t hesitate. But, you’re different. I need to think about it a lot- and I did. I thought about how it can potentially change our friendship if it doesn’t work out. But– I know it will work out, if you let me, I promise.”

You don’t say anything, simply nodding to let him know that you’re listening — simultaneously sending him in perturbation. “Do you like anyone?” He decides to ask, a potential reason to why you’re hindered from seeing him romantically. He needs to know before he falls even deeper.

“Nope.” You shake your head.

“Not even Jungwoo?”

“What? No.” What a funny assumption you snortle, missing the way Jaehyun timidly smiles upon your answer as he mumbles an ‘okay’.

“Does that mean I still have a chance?” 

You hum in approval, displaying a genuine smile. “If you’re patient enough, sure.” Watching him carefully as a grin stretches on his lips, eyes as hopeful as ever and you smile even harder. So endearing. 

“I’m good with that.” He boasts quietly, making you laugh in delight before nodding at him. 

“Well you should know that you’re my best friend and I love you regardless..” You trail off when you‘re caught up in his adoring gaze. Oh dear

“...Anyways.” You promptly clear your throat, shaking your head out of your reverie and lean in to peck his cheek before getting up.

“I swear I can never watch a movie properly with you guys!”

You complain playfully, loud enough for the guys in the living room to hear, an indication that you’re returning. Jaehyun’s left alone in his room as he pats his chest to calm his profound heartbeat, a soft smile on his lips, somehow feeling content.

[everyhowlmarksthedead]

Prompt request

Obispo “Bishop” Losa x Reader

Anon asked: 43 and 44 with bishop, angst and fluffy : you lost the bet / stop calling me Im busy

Word Count: 1.2k

Thanks to my lovely beta reader @chibsytelford 💘

Author comments: I hope you all enjoy. The gif isn’t mine.

Tag list: @starrynite7114 @chibsytelford @dazzledamazon @mara-mpou @sammskellington @gemini0410 ​ @1-800-imagines @briana-mishell24 💥 (if you wanna be tagged, send me a message!)

“Stop calling me, I'm busy, Obispo”. You mutter with anger and the phone on your left ear.

“Then forgive me”.

“Fuc' off! You don't fuckin' deserve anything from me”.

“It was a bet!”

“Yeah', you lost a bet, and also me”. Without giving him the opportunity to reply, you hung up with a bitter snort.

You had been working for almost twelve hours at the hospital, from dusk till dawn. Two long surgeries, three car accidents and some fake emergencies of people who visit it because some coughs. You didn't even have time to eat, other than a few bites of a cold sandwich. So, when you finished your turn, the only thing you wanted to do was go to the clubhouse and have a beer between your man's arms. But when you arrived and saw one of Vicki's girl on his lap serving tequila directly in his mouth, the hell burned like never before. It has been three infernal days since then, with a lot of Bishop's calls and texts begging you to forgive him.

Keeping your phone in the pocket of your doctor's gown, you walk towards the locker room to change your clothes. Resting your forehead against your box-office, with an angry tear running down your cheek. It's not like he's cheating on you, but disrespecting whatever it supposed you two have together. Maybe you don't have the right to reproach him for anything, 'cause you're not his Old Lady, but you have the right to cut everything with him after feeling so humiliated.

Your phone dings with a notification, when you're trying to figure out where are your car keys, supporting your waist against one of the doors. Unknown number. You roll your eyes opening the text.

📨: hi, im shara, im sorry about what happened with bishop. we were just having fun, i dont want anything with him and i also know he loves you. i never wanted to bother you and im so sorry. hes always talking about you and its amazing the way he does. please talk with him, vicki told us hes fucking bad

Rubbing the bridge of your nose, you lock the phone to put it inside your bag. After finding the keys, you drive your way back home. You don't want to talk with him, not even if you have read the message. What happened hurt you, hurt your ego and feed your insecurities. And it's not going to be easy to recover.

The headlights of your car illuminate the facade of your house, spotting Bishop sitting by your door and smoking a cigar almost consumed. He looks tired, with dark circles under her eyes and a sloppy beard covering his jaw. He throws the cigarette away, getting up and placing both hands by his back, with the head down. He doesn't know what more can say to you.

You keep silent, passing him away to open the door, closing it without letting him come in. Through the peephole you can see how he sits again, rubbing his nape with a hand. A sigh escapes from your lips, turning around to walk towards your room. Leaving your stuff on the unmade bed and getting undressed, you go to the shower taking your time in under the water, until your fingertips are wrinkled.

Wrapping your body with a long towel and your hair in another, you come back to the main room, to wear some comfy clothes and find something to eat in the kitchen. Your fridge is empty, 'cause you forgot shopping for food, so you need to order something. But before doing it, you walk next to the front door having another look by the peephole to see that Bishop still there. Sitting in silence with his locked phone in his hands, like if you were gonna text him or something. Opening the door, he turns a little towards you.

“I'm gonna order some food, you wan'?” He shakes his head and, by the way you opened the door, he knows he can't come in.

You nod with pursed lips, closing it again and pressing the button to make the order. If he's trying to make you feel sorry, he's doing it pretty well, but then you remember what happened and you forget how he feels.

The night passes and when you're about to sleep, you walk outside one last time, opening the door and supporting your body against the frame.

“Are you gonna sleep there...?”

“Yes”.

“It's cold, Bishop. Go home”.

“If I've to die tonight, I'll do it waiting for you to forgive me”.

“Sounds like a bad movie on Netflix...” You sigh rolling your eyes a little desperate.

“I'm sorry, (Y/N). I didn't mean to hurt you. You're my girl, my one and only, my Old Lady, and I wa—”.

“No, I'm not”. You interrupt him, getting up of the door frame, with a confused gesture on your face. “You didn't propose me, nor ask me, nor introduce me to the club, even if they also know me”.

“I was about to do it”.

“When? Before or after drinking the tequila with that bitch on top of you, uh? I don't know too much about the MCs, but I'm sure it's not the way to introduce your girlfriend to them”.

Bishop, snortling and placing both hands on his head, sinks his face between his knees.

“Go home, Obispo. It's late and you look like shit... We will talk... tomorrow”.

Then, he turns at you getting up and holding his helmet from the floor.

“You promise?”

“Jesus Christ, Bishop... Go home”.

“No, no, no. Promise me. Promise me we're gonna talk tomorrow”. He says walking next to you.

“Yea', Bishop, sure... I promise”.

A soft smile is drawing in his lips, putting a hand on your left cheek, to leave a kiss on the right. You hold his hands, closing your eyes and enjoying the nearest. You miss him. Every touch, every word, every kiss. And you fall again, wrapping his back with your arms. He hugs you back, tightly, leaving some kisses on your head.

“You can... sleep on my sofa”. You whispers, pulling him away some inches. “It's late and... you look tired. You shouldn' drive”.

“You sure, querida...?”

You nod one time. With an arm on your shoulders, he guides you through the door, closing it after coming in. He leaves his vest and the helmet on the table in the living room, while you go to your room to find a blanket. When you come back he's already lying there, with the boots on a side of the floor and an arm covering his eyes. You sigh for a second, offering him.

“Thank you”. He says grabbing your wrist to pull you closer.

He knows he doesn't deserve to sleep in your bed tonight, but he really wants to sleep with you and the sofa is pretty huge for both. You let him lay you down next to him, tangling your legs with his and sinking your face on his neck, taking a deep breath of his scent. Bishop wraps your body with his arms, getting comfortable by your side.

“You have to shave tomorrow, please”.

“I will, but let me sleep all day. I need it”.

“I need it too”.

[i-dream-of-twilight-sparkle]

Chapter 31: The Sands of Time & Family

The next morning, with one more day left to go until the wedding. Twilight and Spike wake up to once again deactivate all their security measures. Before getting to doing something they mutually agreed was best for the day: More spirit summons for friends who’d like to see any deceased that they miss dearly. Pear Butter, Bright Mac, and Sunset had all returned to the soul shield last night. Though they will be summoned back down for the Wedding tomorrow.

Spike gets the idea of finding Fluttershy to let her see many of the deceased spirits of her many pets over the years. They in fact find Fluttershy at the cottage, and kinda suspecting she knows what they’re visiting for. She grins and gets Twilight and Spike to follow her to her pet cemetery. Soon, Fluttershy surrounds herself with many of the small spirits of her beloved pets from the years as an animal caretaker. Pets of all kinds that are more then happy to see the pony that took care of them, in some cases, their entire lives.

Fluttershy quickly in deep bliss as she gets nuzzles, and affection from the spirits of the animals she’s had to bury. Even Mr. Mousey gets to have a reunion with his family. As a spirit he’s even standing up again rather then be in his wheelchair-bound state, as he hugs his wife and grown-up son. She even brings many of them back to see her currently living animals. Both living and spirit animals come across and each other, both kinda confused when some of them can’t touch the others. Though there are some that recognize each other, as well as of course other animal families that Fluttershy’s taken care of aside from Mr. Mousey’s that can.

Twilight and Spike tell Fluttershy they can let Fluttershy spend time with her many animal spirits for the rest of the day while they head elsewhere. Fluttershy does express a little concern about what she was told about the shield having less protection with too many spirits summoned. Though Twilight assures her by saying the size of the spirit matters more then the number of spirits summoned. So it’s actually pretty safe to summon down many of the smaller animals where is it’s summoning full-grown dragons that brings out the most risk. So as long as the collective size of the spirits aren’t bigger then 2 full grown dragons. It should be relatively safe to have the many spirits down here (Though just for the sake of safety they may also try to not make sure it the amount isn’t bigger then one dragon spirit too)

They bid adieu to Fluttershy to spend the day with animals both living and the deceased brought back as spirits. Their next stop is to see Pinkie and her Family to see Granny Pie.

Pinkie hasn’t really mentioned Granny Pie a lot since mentioning her while they were walking through the everfree to confront Nightmare Moon. But Granny Pie had died sometime before the Elements all collectively met.

Once Granny Pie was summoned down it became pretty obvious now where Pinkie got her personality and probably even somewhat color. Granny Pie was of a bit duller Pink then Pinkie was, but even as the old timer she was pretty bouncy. Pinkie’s Parents as well as Maud, Marble all welcome back their grandmother. Limestone at first tries to pretend she didn’t miss Granny Pie, but moments later she loses composure and it turns out she missed Granny Pie the most of all the Pie sisters. Outright tearing heavily as she hugs her grandmother.

Granny Pie also gets to meet Maud and Pinkie’s special someponies Mud Briar and Cheese Sandwich. Quickly seeing how each are much like the granddaughters they’re dating.

Pinkie Pie and Granny then do a sort of reprise of Giggle at the Ghostly, but this time around change the lyrics around a bit.

((To the tune of the Giggle at the Ghostly/Laughter Song))

Pinkie Pie & Granny Pie: Giggle with the ghostly!

Guffaw with your granny!

Clap with the cemetery!

Whoop it up with the wispy!

Laughing at the Reaper!

Snortle with the spiritually!

As with Fluttershy and her animals, Twilight & Spike let Pinkie and her family spend much of the rest of the day with Granny Pie as she moves on to the next ponies she wants to help. 

She goes to gather the Pillars of Equestria to see many of their friends from before they went into Limbo. Somnambula having already seen the miracle of spirit summoning when they were seeing Jinn backs up that Twilight’s spirit summoning is real. Starswirl seeing his old apprentice Clover the Clever, Mistmane sees Sable Spirit, Meadowbrook sees her mother, Flash Magnus sees all his squad, while Somnambula and Rockhoof meet friends from their villages. Twilight herself being kind of excited herself for being able to talk to those from more then 1000 years ago to get some more personal account of what it was like then aside from the many times she’s already asked the pillars themselves about then. Though most of all the pillars of Equestria are just thankful to Twilight and Spike for discovering this.

Next, Twilight and Spike meet up with Celestia and Luna and give them a chance to many ponies that were staffers or guards that became so loyal and trusted that they became personal friends with the sisters. Luna seeing many of her friends that been left behind when she turned to the darkside when she became Nightmare Moon and got sent to the moon. Luna showing she’s back to normal, with her old friends thankful for it.

In some time, all the spirits hear that Celestia and Luna are retiring soon to make way for Twilight. And all of them have grateful words for the sisters to wish them well in their retirement. Both Celestia and Luna can hardly hold back tears as they smile with the words they receive from the support of those who dedicated their lives to supporting one or both of the two sisters. Some of them also wish luck on Twilight as she succeeds into their role. Unlike the others though, Twilight and Spike send them back sometime later as Celestia and Luna do a few more royal duties that day. Though they tell their former staffers and guards there will be much more time to see them if they happen to come by or go see Spike in their retirement. All of them understand and let Spike send them back to the soul shield.

From there, only one more was on Twilight and Spike’s mind: Malakhar & Kubuya, so they can summon Hisan Minat, Malakhar’s grandfather. They quickly get back to Saddle Arabia through the gum portal and the couple getting married having both seen spirit summoning early in the day yesterday understand what Twilight and Spike are here to do. They go into Malakhar’s and Kubuya’s room in the palace.

Twilight: You ready to see your Grandfather again, Malakhar?

Malakhar: Of course

Twilight: Sorry if me and Spike didn’t get here sooner. We had… a lot happen in regards to seeing Applejack’s parents for the first time… and Starlight’s Mother as well.

Malakhar: Oh, Starlight Glimmer’s mother is deceased too?

Twilight: Yeah, but finding out that was only the tip of the iceberg of the twists given she was also Sunset Shimmer. who was Princess Celestia’s protege before me.

Malakhar: Sunset Shimmer… I feel like I’ve heard that name before. But I must of only been a little colt at the time. Maybe it was during a random visit from Celestia. Don’t think I saw Sunset herself, just passing mention that she and Celestia were at the palace.

Twilight: Another part of it is that Sunset went missing about 2 weeks after she gave birth to Starlight and thus Starlight never found out who she was. As it turned out she died not anymore then 3 weeks after the birth of Starlight.

Kubuya: That’s so sad…

Malakhar: I definitely understand summoning both Applejack’s parents and Starlight’s mother first. I had my Grandfather for a good portion of my life. Applejack lost both of her parents when she was only a filly, and as you just said Starlight never got to meet her mother until yesterday. Both very noble uses of spirit summoning.

Twilight: I can tell you everything that happened with both Applejack’s parents and Sunset later, as it’s probably best we get to seeing your grandfather soon. Besides, they will probably be summoned to attend your wedding so you two will get to meet them yourselves!

Kubuya: Wow, we’re getting spirit guests, ay?

Malakhar: That will be really cool, heck… if he says yes, we can get my Grandfather there too to see us getting wed.

Twilight: Mmhmm, now how about we get going. Malakhar, we only need your hoof to make this work. You know what to do from there.

Malakhar: Got it!

Malakhar approaches close to Spike to touch the Dragon’s Tear, closes his eyes, takes a deep breath, and begins to mentally message his grandfather.

Malakhar: (Hello Grandpa, this is your grandson Malakhar. I have seen Princess Twilight’s son Spike summon down spirits more then once by now. And now it’s your turn. I can’t wait to see you again. You should see that I accomplished your dying wish with your own eyes, and I would like you to meet the mare who will be my beautiful wife starting tomorrow…)

Malakhar finishes, and now it was up to Spike to complete it. Focusing one more time, the Dragon Tear once again starts glowing. And within a few moments, another pony-sized comet comes into the room from the open window. Everyone in the room has seen it at least more then once, so no more surprised looks just awaiting for the comet to shift into a glowing sphere and forming into the shape of Malakhar’s grandfather.

Hisan Manat fully fades in, and he looks around.

Hisan Manat: Say, this is the palace isn’t it?

Malakhar just walks up and hugs his old grandfather.

Hisan: Whoa! You’ve grown so big, Malakhar!  If I weren’t a spirit, I’d be afraid of you cracking some bones!

Both Malakhar and Hisan just laugh.

Malakhar: I’ve missed you so much, Grandpa...

Hisan: I’ve missed you from up there as well…

Hisan turns toward Twilight, noticing of course the genie attire and of course she was Twilight Sparkle, the Element of Magic that he asked Malakhar to genify.

Hisan: Greetings, Princess Twilight. It’s nice to personally meet you, I’m well aware that Malakhar succeeded in genifying you even from up there. Giving many of us spirits usually get at least some of the bigger current events told. But it is nice to see the attire up close to be absolutely sure it happened. Thank you Malakhar for fulfilling my last wish. Though back to you, Twilight… you feeling good about being a genie thus far?

Twilight: Well… by now I’ve generally accepted being a genie as part of my identity by now. After all, there are a few major parts of my identity that are younger then being a genie. Such as being a princess, and Spike’s mother. Though I will admit, it is a little awkward seeing you now.

Hisan: Awkward? In what way?

Twilight: You were the one who made Malakhar’s mission to specifically genify me, correct?

Hisan: Yes… my very last words were “Please, genify the Element of Magic” before my soul left my body

Twilight: I don’t want to concern you too much, as I know how important it was given it was your dying wish and all… at the same time though it doesn’t feel right to really… thank you for it… given I was sort of tricked into being a genie…

Hisan: t-t-Tricked?!

Malakhar suddenly has a very nervous face

Twilight: Malakhar told me to do the instructions requiring to genify a pony… but without informing me what would happen if I did…

Hisan gives his grandson a stern face

Hisan: Malakhar… what were you thinking?! You could of blown the one shot you had with that Dragon’s Tear!

Malakhar: I’m… sorry… Grandpa… I didn’t think Twilight was going to agree easily, if I had just went up and said “Hey Twilight, would you like to be a genie?”

Twilight: To be fair, Hisan… if Malakhar had said something akin to that... I might of thought he was insane and walked out. As at the time, I thought Genies were only myths.

Hisan calms down a bit, though still has a suggestion to Malakhar that might of made getting Twilight to try being a genie a little smoother then.

Hisan: I guess you might of been more aware that Twilight’s more logically thinking, so perhaps you’re right that saying you can transform her into a genie would of left her skeptical. 

But perhaps you could have also at the same time told Twilight about the 3 day time limit to get freed immediately… before you genified her anyway. You also could have warned that part of the process is the bottle is the entire body slowly funneled into the bottle. Even if Twilight was skeptical, at least she was forewarned, and told that it would be easily reversible if it didn’t work out.

Twilight puts a hoof under her chin

Twilight: Heh, I guess I might of been still skeptical, yet curious if that’s how it went down. I might of even joked by saying something like “You seriously think that bottle’s going to fit me in?” and I might of chosen to humor the notion by giving it a try.

And then it would be sort of my fault that I had that somewhat terrifying moment of being sucked in the bottle for the first time. I’d be humbled by being proven wrong and not angry as I was.... or well maybe I would of still been a little peeved... but more at myself then at Malakhar. 

Maybe I even wouldn’t have immediately asked to get wished out of it to try out being a genie for a little while thanks to knowing about the time limit. I don’t know if I would of stayed a genie in that scenario… but it would of at least been a better first impression...

Malakhar: Yeah… that does sound like that probably would of been a smarter plan in hindsight. If only you had lived long enough to see Twilight on her first time here. You might of gotten Twilight to potentially stay a genie whether or not Spike was there.

Spike: I don’t know if she would of said stayed one if I wasn’t there. After all, it was I who turned her opinion around despite her being angry at Malakhar the time. Though to be fair, it probably would of been a lot easier for me to convince her to stay one… if she had a better first impression of becoming a genie.

Hisan is rather intrigued.

Hisan: You convinced Twilight to stay a genie despite her being angry? Tell me more!

((Story continues after the break))

Spike: I guess first of all Malakhar in part didn’t tell Twilight how to get back to normal as otherwise if he did… Twilight would of surely done so immediately. He told us to find a book at a nearby library to explain how being a genie works. We eventually got to reading the book, but not before Twilight discovered the first perk of being a genie... that being getting out of her bottle is always an enjoyable feeling. Sort of cheering her up, as we learned more and more about how genies worked... Twilight actually started to get curious about the kind of things she can do now as a genie that would of been impossible as a unicorn and quite frankly impossible as an Alicorn too. Enough so as to actually decide to try it a little longer even after hearing how to get back to normal.

Learning about the time limit brought back some tension however, as Twilight couldn’t have known at the time she was going to become an Alicorn that can’t die from aging… I really wanted Twilight to stay a genie myself since it would mean she would be around for at least a good amount of my life, though I understood that outliving her friends and family was still a big con. I told Twilight that I’d respect her decision even if obviously one might of saddened me more then the other. Obviously in retrospect even if she had said no, then the whole Alicorn thing would of still made it possible… though then it would have overrided Twilight’s decision to remain mortal. Becoming a genie just turned out to be the time where Twilight was first asked if she wanted to be there for me longer then for a normal pony’s lifespan.

Perhaps… this is when my birth mother’s desire for the perfect mother started to accelerate being granted as it subtly influenced Twilight’s mind. As the desire was dormant within Twilight’s mind the moment she hatched me. The desire wanted just the right conditions that would result in Twilight to be a good mother for me, and making Twilight wanting to be my mother as early as a filly would of been way too early. So it waited, occasionally picking up at moments that would grow our relationship slowly into a motherly bond. Such as telling me that she’d never send me away when that was the fear I had when we faced Sombra’s fear door...

Twilight: Huh… could a desire from a Dragon’s Tear really work like that… at the very least it did do it in a way where it felt earnest, I could not tell at all if it was something dormant in my mind… I never felt like I was ever going to say or do something otherwise before something changed my mind… I don’t feel like I was slowly hypnotized into eventually considering myself your mother.

Hisan smiles

Hisan: When a Dragon’s Tear is not being used to make genies, a desire said into one mostly waits and looks for the nearest living being that’ll best either help get the desire done or even grant it entirely. Spike’s actually wrong that it just laid dormant and picked up every now and then. That was actual honest feelings you felt as you spent time with Spike. It didn’t make you choose to stay a genie, that was still your decision in the end. You ultimately became Spike’s mother on your own will. The desire just knew ahead of time you would agree to get a longer lifespan or even become immortal if it meant you could take care of Spike longer somehow. I don’t know how, but it did.

Twilight: That’s actually a pretty big relief… I was scared for a moment hearing that last part of what Spike said that this might have implied my motherly bond was never genuine...

I imagine though it makes sense that it was still my decision because I don’t think me becoming a genie was what the desire was accounting for… because another part of it was the Perfect Mother desire wasn’t the only desire connected to me... as it was entwined with Celestia’s own desires in looking for a successor. It was accounting for the fact that I would one day become an Alicorn.

Hisan: Perhaps, though given you didn’t know at the time you’d become an Alicorn. Becoming a genie sort of started granting the desire early. You would of probably ending up adopting Spike either way, but being faced with the choice to become a genie accelerated you and Spike’s realization, cause at that point it was the only thing you knew that would allow you to live longer.

So it was ultimately your special bond that saved my dream of at least having one genie around. So thanks both of you, and probably Celestia, as well as Spike’s birth mother too. The threads of life all connecting like this is most amazing.

Twilight: You’re welco… or well, I don’t know if your welcome is the right words. As it’s not like our direction our lives took was all for you. But I guess it still managed to conveniently fulfill your dying wish.

Speaking of dying though, a good thing about discovering Spirit summoning is it really nerfs the biggest concern I had about becoming a genie. I’ll be able to see and talk with friends and family even long after they’re gone just like how we’re seeing you now.

Hisan: That is true, not even the genies of old had that luxury, so it was always a reason why it was a bit of a tough sell. As there were often plenty of ponies that many of me and Malakhar’s ancestors thought would make good genies, but due to being modest as part of the criteria many of them so modest to ever accept the idea of far outliving their friends and/or family. They’d usually need more of an actual reason to live so long,

Twilight: And I guess… having a dragon that would become my adopted son was mine.

Hisan: Indeed! It’s also true that one day if we get a good amount of Dragon Tears around, the existence of spirit summoning will lessen the concerns about that. So perhaps some day soon even if that’s still decades or centuries from happening. We’ll have genies back in a big way. Of course, you’re capable of genifying others if they wish for it too, Twilight. Though I assume you have a good reason why you haven’t

Twilight: Yeah… I’m being careful. I at least like using something like the genie simulation where they feel what it’s like to be genies but have none of the magical power. And most who would want to wish be a real genie is kind of suspicious, because they might have an ulterior motive. 

Which is why I’d rather trust Malakhar if he ever decided to try to find the next genie. After all, it’s your family that’s been vetting potential genies for generations.

Hisan just claps

Hisan: I knew you’d be careful, I did right by telling Malakhar to genify you, you were the best choice out of the elements just because I knew you’d think before making your wishes. In the right setting, some of you other friends might of made good genies. But there was at least one big concern about each of them.

Twilight: I myself have kind of figured that myself too. Applejack is a little bit magic-averse, Rainbow Dash couldn’t be a Wonderbolt and a Genie, while Rarity would be a consideration… she has a career, plus I’m unsure if she’d like the whole bottle thing. Fluttershy at least early on might of come with fears of her kindness granting wishes when she doesn’t even know if she’s being used by someone with ulterior motives, and Pinkie Pie… is Pinkie Pie.

Hisan nods

Hisan: I agree maybe Rarity might have been the next best choice. But I had only one Dragon Tear, and it felt appropriate to genify you as you’re known to be a fair bit more modest then Rarity is. Not that Rarity would be too vain, but she probably would of used some of her power for some degree of personal luxury where as I suspected you would put more thought into all you do as a genie.

Twilight nods herself, and smiles

Twilight: Thank you, Hisan. It’s been quite an interesting conversation. Glad I got a little insight into all this genie stuff from you. It probably would have been more valuable to me if you there when I was first genified. I would of certainly gotten a quicker understanding. I now know why Malakhar always held you in such high regard.

Hisan: I want to give some thanks myself in return, I’m glad I got to see that I did right with asking Malakhar to genify you in more ways then one. You’re exactly the genie I hoped you would be.

Hisan looks around the room and takes a look at Kubuya who’s been generally silent the whole time.

Hisan: Hey, Malakhar. Who’s the other mare here?

Malakhar: Oh that’s right… ahem… Grandpa… I’d like you to meet Kubuya Atka. Who will be my lovely wife starting tomorrow.

Hisan gasps, but quickly smiles for his grandson.

Hisan: That’s great news Malakhar, congratulations on your coming wedding!

As Hisan looks closer at Malakhar’s soon-to-be wife. As Kubuya just gently waves with a sheepish grin.

Hisan: Say… I feel like I’ve seen you before actually… you were a lot younger then likely, and I don’t think I ever got your name before today… but I definitely feel like I recognize you…

Kubuya: Really? I must admit… I’m not sure I remember ever meeting you…

Hisan: It’s understandable, you were only in your teens. But I remember seeing a young mare of your color scheme working at the library while I was there. We likely never met because I was just a random occasional customer.

Kubuya: Ah yeah, I didn’t quite start getting check-out desk duties there until real close to adulthood. I just sorted books or assisted my boss until I eventually got promoted.

Hasan: I also remember you, because of your cutie mark

Kubuya: Huh, my cutie Mark? Surely you just thought it was just a bookmark, right?

Kubuya looks at her flank

Hisan: It is a bookmark. But the flower on said mark is distinct in your family’s lineage isn’t it?

Kubuya: Well, yeah… it is… since I’m a descendent of Jinn’s. But why are you mentioning this.

Hisan: Because… say I had never thought about genifying an Element of Harmony. And if I had lived sometime longer then I did, I may have tried to recruit you as the one genie.

Kubuya: Wait… really?!

Hisan: It would of been a decent amount of years before I did it, and I would of still had to make sure you had the temperament and were willing to become one but yes. I had thought at one point that perhaps a descendent of Jinn may be the best choice to have the first genie in so long. But you were too young, and I heard of the news of the Elements of Harmony that would make Twilight Plan A, and shortly afterward I died before it could happen. Plus, I never told Malakhar about you beforehand because I wanted him to focus on Twilight as soon as it became obvious I wasn’t going to live much longer.

Kubuya: Well… I’m kind of flattered you considered to make me a genie at some point. I’m not sure if I would of made the criteria, or how exactly I would of felt about being asked…  but I probably would of at least considered it. Though I’m getting married tomorrow, so it’s definitely a little too late.

I’m aware that some genies in the distant past have wedded mortals long in the past. Though if they wanted children,  they had to magically switch genders with their special somepony, or find some other way to incubate the foal since the foal is never born a genie.

Hisan: Don’t worry, I wasn’t going to ask if you’d like to be a genie now as I’m aware it’s best you stay as you are if you do indeed plan to be wedded tomorrow and have children.

Malakhar: Speaking of having children, Me and Kubuya did talk at one point of possibly having a child of ours become a genie. Though we agreed we’d make sure we raise them well and see if they find interest in being one themselves when they grow up to adulthood.

Twilight: You two want your child to be the next genie?

Kubuya: We’d be proud to be the parents of the next genie. But we do want make sure that’s what they want first. There’s so many intricacies that we have to think about it in regards to both our future child’s personality, how well we take care of them, and/or if they find themselves with goals in which becoming a genie might be detrimental to.

Malakhar: We’d need either another Dragon’s Tear… in which the only one we have on hoof is Spike’s, but its found a better use in summoning spirits. Or we could ask you to genify the next one through a wish should we not have another Dragon’s Tear show up within the time.

Twilight: I’d be willing to help out if you truly believe you found a good choice for the next Genie whether it’s a grown-up child of yours or somepony else here. As it’d probably be nice to have a fellow genie friend here and living in Saddle Arabia. Though either way, we might be speaking too soon.

Hisan: We have lots of time before we get anywhere near there. Just focus on the wedding tomorrow, and go from there.

Malakhar: Oh right…  Grandpa, we actually wanted to ask if you’d be willing to be summoned back down tomorrow to see us getting wed. It’d be great to have you there.

Hisan smiles

Hisan: Nothing would make happier, I would love to be there.

Malakhar: Thank you, Grandpa.

Hisan: Will your mother and my son/your father be there too?

Malakhar: Yeah

Hisan: Probably would be good to see them myself again too

Twilight: Huh, I don’t think I ever met your parents Malakhar. Hope there wasn’t a big reason for that…

Malakhar: Nah, I still love my parents. I’m just not quite as close with them as I was with my Grandfather. My father wasn’t as much into pottery or the whole genies thing, since my grandfather’s obsession was a little much for him growing up. But I got interested enough that I sort of became the son that he hoped my father would be. My mother’s really nice, but there wasn’t really ever a reason to mention her In the time I’ve seen you, there just was never a relevant time to talk about them.

Twilight: Ah, I see. Well, regardless I can’t wait for the wedding. It’ll be nice to end this roller coaster of emotions these past few days with a happy matrimony.

The rest of the room nods, as they continue talking. Elsewhere in the palace though, the Sultana has taken today as an opportunity to get to know Moondancer and has been giving her a tour of the palace similar to the one she gave the Elements while Twilight had a meeting. Both the Sultan and Sultana first met with Moondancer as Twilight and the others spent time in Equestria seeing Applejack’s Parents and/or Sunset Shimmer, the royals quickly embracing her as their son’s special somepony.

Moondancer: Thank you so much for this wonderful tour, miss Sultana.

Sultana Elona: Please, call me Elona.

Moondancer: Oh! Then… thank you… Elona. You have some excellent displays in the Palace. When I’m living here, I can’t wait to be able to take my time and examine everything here.

Sultana Elona: And we can’t wait to have you around the palace, both me and the Sultan have already taken a liking to you. And seeing how happy you and our son is very heartwarming.

Moondancer: I’m glad to know all of you are so nice, I was sort of scared before the ball that like Rarity before one of the Grand Galloping Galas that Twilight went to, I’d have my hopes up meeting a prince only for them to be too stuck up or his parents were going to disapprove of me being a commoner. and a foreign one at that...

The Sultana smiles

Sultana Elona: I assure you that we have no such problems with either. I’m native here, but I was once myself only a commoner here in Saddle Arabia. I was a nurse that healed my husband, who was the Prince at the time, from a near-fatal stab wound in the chest. Once he had recovered, he asked me out. And well… the rest is history, as you can see where I am now.

Moondancer: D’awww, that’s so cute… no wonder you referred to the medical section as your favorite part of this tour.

The Sultana just nods

Sultana Elona: Now follow me Moondancer, there is one more stop before our tour is finished.

Moondancer: Okay

The Sultana bring Elona to an end of a hallway, where eventually they come across a large Dragon’s Tear replica

Moondancer: Whoa… this… is this… a full-sized Dragon’s Tear…

Sultana Elona: It’s the full size, though it’s not a real one. Otherwise we certainly would have used it ages ago.

Moondancer: Twilight’s told me a few times about the Dragon’s Tear. I’ve heard how amazing they can be, though I’ve been hearing that just yesterday they have discovered something entirely new about them.

Sultana Elona: Indeed they have, my husband told me all about it. Apparently, Twilight and Spike has learned they’re capable of summoning down spirits of the deceased. They come down in transparent ghostly forms, and we’re free to talk to them and everything.

Moondancer: Say WHAAAAAAAAT?! That’s incredible! I have to catch up with Twilight to hear about all this sometime...

Sultana Elona: Perhaps during Malakhar and Kubuya’s wedding?

Moondancer: Yeah, that sounds like it’d be the perfect time to see her then. If I know Twilight, she’s probably been using the past two days to use the newfound spirit summoning to help out needy friends with those they miss or see any deceased historical figures she can possibly get.

Sultana Elona: Probably! But by the way, this Dragon Tear replica isn’t actually what the last stop is.

Moondancer: Huh? But there’s nothing else here. It’s an entirely dead end…

The Sultana raises an eyebrow and grins

Sultana Elona: Is it really?

The Sultana presses a hidden button. The replica starts moving as the part of the wall with the Dragon Tear replica shifts forward and then starts rotating high up in the air. Revealing a long stair case behind it. Smaller Dragon Tear replicas slowly light up the staircase walls that serve as lights to lead the way.

Moondancer: Whooooooa! A secret passage! Are we going down there?

Sultana Elona: Of course! Follow me!

The Sultana and Moondancer go down the long flight of stands. Once they’ve reached the end, Moondancer looks around and sees… a motherload of bookcases and shelves. She goes wide eyed, with her mouth agape, her glasses nearly slipping off her snoot before she uses a hoof to put them back up.

Moondancer: I… I…. Is… is this… is this the….

Sultana Elona: Royal Library? Yes, yes it is.

Moondancer beams a huge grin and barely can contain her excitement. She starts trotting around making a high-pitched squeal of excitement

Moondancer: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHEHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Moondancer: This is amazing! I don’t think I’ve ever seen books like this in Canterlot before! I could spend decades… if not my whole lifetime with all of these books here…

Sultana Elona: Many of these books are from the many generation of Royals that lived here. This library was first built by the Sultana that started my husband’s dynasty generations ago. Part of the job of being Sultana is actually to keep this library running, and add whatever the Sultana wishes to do so, as well as pass along knowledge to the next one.

Moondancer: But wait… shouldn’t you have waited… untill at least when me and the Prince got engaged? We only started dating two days ago…

Sultana Elona: Maybe, but I thought it was important to show you this place anyway. We know you’re a bookworm much like Twilight is, and we want you to be as happy as possible here once you have moved. Heck, not even Twilight knows about this room because she’s never here long enough. She can’t stay here long enough to read most of these books, cause she has duties in Equestria. 

Obviously she’d be bummed if she saw this place but knows she won’t be able to stay too long to see what’s in here. But if there’s something in here that you’d think would interest Twilight. It’ll be something to tell her personally yourself the next time he comes to Saddle Arabia or at least through the mail.

Moondancer: Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh… Elona… you’re the best… er… potential mother-in-law ever!

Moondancer embraces the Sultana in a big hug

Sultana Elona: You’re very welcome, Moondancer. By the way, this place also has more dancing books that have never been shared to the public. Since they were specific to some Sultanas who were great dancers. I can already tell you’re a better dancer then me, just based of what I saw during the ball. So you’ll certainly get some good use out of them.

Moondancer: Oh yes! That’ll be great to see too! Thank you so much! Is… it ok if I find a few books I want to read for the rest of the day? I promise I won’t stay up all night reading books, as I do intend on being there for Malakhar and Kubuya’s wedding. But I’m eager to see which books I’ll want to check out first.

Sultana Elona: Of course, Moondancer  Feel free to explore to your heart’s content. I have to go though, and I’ll be closing the door, but there will be a button to open the wall again from the other side when you decide you’re done. Ok?

Moondancer: Yes, again… thank you so much. I’ll see you in the morning for the wedding!

Sultana Elona: Seeya at the wedding, Moondancer.

The Sultana goes back up the stairs to leave Moondancer to explore the library. Meanwhile, Twilight and Spike have finished talking with Malakhar and Kubuya. They actually decided to send Hisan back to the soul shield as it was getting late anyhow.

Spike: Soooooo… off to bed before the wedding?

Twilight: Yeah, but first… I have something serious to take care of shortly before we have our happy day at the wedding.

Spike: Cozy Glow’s statue, I take it?

Twilight: Yes… though actually... make that two things…

Spike: Oh… you also mean… him… don’t you…

Spike briefly closes his right eye and places his hand on his eye scar. While Twilight nods.

Twilight: I’ll be right back, Spike. Here take this piece of gum so you can get back to Ponyville.

Spike himself nods and proceeds to himself to Ponyville. Twilight herself goes to Ponyville but close to what Starlight did, specifically went to where the statue of Cozy Glow, Queen Chrysalis, and Lord Tirek are currently petrified. She flies up to the top of the statue where Cozy Glow’s forever frightened face. 

Before she met Sunset and learned of Cozy’s past, that face admittedly sort of haunted her. Not much was known about Cozy before her petrification. Cozy Glow at that point was known only as one of Twilight’s students at the Friendship School that seems to have taken the word that Friendship is Magic too literal in that it’s powerful. And there was some sort of feeling that maybe one day they’d let Cozy out soon to attempt to reform her much like they did with Discord.

But after learning about Cozy’s true nature, along with having a huge role in Sunset’s death, being much of the reason Starlight’s life was so hard early on, and how her goal would of ended up in the extinction of all life on the planet. Twilight now looks at Cozy with more contempt then either Chrysalis or Tirek. Twilight carefully takes the petrified Cozy off, and makes a completely separate pocket dimension to carefully place her in. Only Twilight herself will have access to it.

Now Twilight makes another portal, but this time in the Saddle Arabian dungeon. Where former Vicegerent Zathir, the psychopathic pony that hijacked Twilight and her friend’s last visit. There’s a heavy amount of guards here, the captain of which bows before the approaching Twilight though he does wonder why I’m here.

Royal Captain: It is a pleasure to be in your presence, Princess Twilight. But… what are you doing here?

Twilight: I need to make a “special” visit to a certain pony here. Let’s just say, once I’m done you won’t have to worry about feeding him anymore

Royal Captain: Wait… you aren’t going to execute him… are you…?

Twilight: No, I’m not executing him. I understand that would probably be disastrous, given it’d likely release some consequential dark magic onto Saddle Arabia. But you should recall Equestria has had ways to deal mostly permanently with threats that aren’t likely to be reformed soon.

I will also be taking him to a pocket dimension where no one will ever reach him ever again.

The Captain nods

Royal Captain: Allow me to take you to his cell

Twilight follows the captain to where Zathir is being held. Even the guards themselves have been kind of gotten tired of having to force-feed each day Zathir so that he stays alive. His entire room confinement is too soft in all parts of the room for him to try to kill himself by banging his head, and his hooves are tied down by a straight jacket.. He’s also muzzled. When the guards need to feed him, their strongest hold him down, so he can’t bite to tear the wall until finding a hard enough surface.

Royal Captain: Here it is, do what you will.

Twilight: Thank you, Captain.

Twilight teleports into Zathir’s cell. Startling the disgraced criminal. Zathir’s voice can still be heard though it’s still somewhat muffled by the muzzle

Zathir: Wha… Twilight… what do you think you’re doing here? Are you going to join in on the guards constant torture of reminding me of my failure…

Twilight: Not really, I’m actually here to… let’s just say… change your sentence…

Zathir raises an eyebrow

Zathir: I’d be most grateful to a genie for the first time in my life if it was the sweet release of death… but I have a feeling you’re not going to be that merciful… are you…

Twilight: Actually, I’m sort of… getting you out of here…

Zathir goes wide-eyed

Zathir: Wait… you’re… pardoning me?

Twilight: Nah, it’s not a pardon either.

Zathir is utterly confused

Zathir: Just what in the world are you planning…

Twilight smugly grins

Twilight: You could say… I’m granting you immortality… the once proud Vicegerent Zathir’s legacy... completely... set... in... stone...

Zathir: Wait… no… please…

Twilight zaps Zathir with magic that petrifies him from the hind hooves reflexively making him stand as the stone petrifies more of his body

Zathir: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooommmppppppppphhhh!

Zathir now’s affixed in stone with his look of horror as he realized Twilight’s making it so he can never die. Twilight once again pulls up the pocket dimension where she put Cozy, and levitates Zathir’s petrified body into it. She then teleports out of the cell with a satisfied face, where the Royal Guard captain is waiting.

Royal Captain: Has the deed been done?

Twilight nods

Twilight: Mmhmm, the guards here no longer need to worry about keeping Zathir alive. And you’ll have no need to fear a death with consequences of dark magic toward Saddle Arabia.

Royal Captain: Thank you, Princess

The Royal Captain and Twilight salute each other before Twilight heads back to Ponyville. Even with Zathir all taken care of, she puts up the protection spells in the castle once again. So they can rest easily before Malakhar and Kubuya’s wedding tomorrow.

UP NEXT: Epilogue: The Wedding

[jadedbirch]

"To my sister!" THE WAY I FUCKING SNORTLED LMAAAO thank you for the laugh and for brightening my dashboard today and every other day. Congratulations!! I wish you and your wife the best!!

Thank you, we're very ridiculous people who deserve each other 💕

[itisannak]

Couple or More (Ashton Irwin Fluff)

Summary: It’s been 2 years since (Y/N) and Ashton became a couple, and for the first time in a while, they are in their hometown for Christmas (Not smut, but innuendos if you squint) (Request) (Words: 2.8k) (Part 1: Friends or More)

(Ashton's POV) "Man, do I love watching you get ready..." I whisper as I wrap my arms around (Y/N)'s waist. She lets out a light giggle, putting down her makeup brush. "You do, huh?" She asks, smiling at me through the mirror. "So, so much..." I whisper, burying my face into the crook of her neck as I press my bulge on her ass. "I see. Well, I would hate to ruin it for you, but I have to remind you that I have to leave..." She states, grinding her ass against my bulge a little before she picks up her brush again. "Where do you have to go?" I groan, grabbing the brush from her hand and picking her up, placing her on the marble bench of the bathroom we are in. "At your mom's. We are having a ladies' night. My mom and Lauren will be there as well." She cheers, her soft hands resting on my shoulders as I lodge myself between her legs. "Oh, come on. It's our 2-year anniversary... Can't you tell them you are busy? I have so many things planned for us." I whine, pressing a few kisses on her lips. "Mmm, technically, tomorrow is our anniversary and I really need to go there. Your mom needs some help with making the treats for the Christmas dinner." She replies, smiling against my lips. "Your mom and Lauren will be there. 3 sets of hands. They are enough." I try to convince her, earning a light chuckle from her. "I promise I'll be back by 11 and we can have some wine and cuddle and do whatever you want." She strokes my bottom lip with her thumb and I nod. "No later than 10." I point out and she rolls her eyes at me. "And I am picking you up. No way I am letting my beauty take a taxi." I add and she sighs. "They won't kill me, Ash." "I know. I just want a car ride with you." "Ok then." She whispers, giving me a bunny kiss.

(Y/N's POV) "I just don't get why you and Ashton are staying in a hotel when both your families are in here. You have 2 houses and you chose to pay for staying." My mom mumbles as I cut the cookies with the cutter. I turn to look at Lauren who smiles sympathetically to me as she decorates the already baked cookies. "Mom, none of the houses has a bedroom big enough for me and Ashton. And don't tell me that we could stay separately because you knew that this was off the table." "I just don't get why it was off the table. It's not like you are married or anything. You could do without each other for a few days." She shrugs her shoulders, causing me to sigh in annoyance. "Because we've been living together for the past 18 months and we are used to it. So, please, no more judging our decisions." I almost snap at her; It's not the first and surely won't be the last time on this trip that she criticizes every aspect of my relationship with Ashton. Honestly, she really likes Ashton, she just wants our relationship to be according to her way. "You know best." She simply replies before she goes back to what she was doing. I feel a little alone on this right now, if Ashton was here he would chime in to defend us, or just help me calm down and fight the tension in my body.

Girls Night ended soon since the mood was heavy and everyone had a busy day tomorrow. I am glad I left early, though; it means that I will get to spend more time with Ashton. "Hey, gorgeous. Did you have fun?" Ashton cheers as I get in the car. I fake a smile and nod, deciding that I don't want to ruin his night with my mom's remarks. "It was great. Everyone will get to taste my amazing Christmas cookies on Christmas Day." I giggle, strapping on my seatbelt. "Dammit, everyone will want to steal my girl for her cooking..." Ashton sighs playfully, starting the car. "You are mocking me, huh? Well, no more of my award-winning pancakes for you then." "Anything but mocking you, baby." He chuckles, bringing my hand to his lips. "Mmmm, you better not. So, where are we going?" I ask, resting my head on the headrest while looking at him. "I was thinking about going to Joe's." He suggests, not taking his eyes off the road. "Joe's? Really? I thought you had more seductive things in mind..." I ask and he hums. "And Joe's can't be seductive? No place can be more seductive than the place we had our first date on." He replies, making me smirk at how sweet my boyfriend is. "Alright then. Should I go change first?" I ask and he shakes his head no. "You look perfect." He assures me.

"Here you go." The bartender hands me our 2 beers and the plate of nachos. I thank him and smile before I walk to where Ashton is sitting. "Still, every man's dream." He comments as I approach him, bringing a smile to my face. "Is that so?" I cock an eyebrow as I set the glasses and the plate on our table. "A gorgeous woman, beer, and snacks... And I get to live the dream with the most gorgeous woman of them all." He replies, wrapping his arms around my waist. "What a lucky man you are..." I giggle, leaning my head on his chest. "I am. Wanna play some darts?" He asks, pointing to the dart target on the wall behind us. "Sure." I nod. "But first..." I hand him his glass. "What should we drink to?" I ask, raising my glass. "To the best decision I took 2 years ago. And to tonight. The night 2 lovers celebrate their time together." He says, clinging our glasses together. "And that's why you write and perform songs for a living and I am not." I chuckle before I take a sip. "What do you mean?" He asks, bringing a nacho to my lips. "I mean that you always have an ease with words. You know what to say, and how to phrase it beautifully." I state after I swallow my bite. "Well, the benefits of dating a musician, right?" He winks before he turns to grab the darts. "One of the many." I reply, picking 2 darts from his hand. "I know you didn't have fun tonight." He sighs, leaving a kiss on my forehead as I take my position to throw the first dart. "I had fun." I protest. "Lauren texted me about your mom. I know she is still not over the fact we are staying in a hotel. Which if you ask me is kinda stupid. But it shouldn't get you down." He whispers, stepping in front of me and placing his palms on each side of my face. "It was kinda bummy. I was looking forward to a girls' night with our moms." I pout and he pulls me into a hug. "I know. But it isn't your fault, ok?" He whispers, leaning down to kiss me. "Let's forget about it and have fun tonight..." I whisper against his lips. "Whatever you want." He smiles, grabbing the darts from my hand and giggling mischievously.

I make my way to our bed, where Ashton is already cozy under the duvet. I raise the duvet and get on the bed, resting on his side as he is still reading his book. "I thought you were tired and you would doze off before I came." I comment, leaving a kiss on his naked shoulder. "I can't sleep without you on my chest." He replies, shutting the book and putting it on the bedside table. "Cheesy..." I snortle and he hums. "I know you like cheesy stuff." "I have been doing some thinking today while you were at my mom's and I..." "What is it, baby? You can tell me anything." I state, trying to sit up but he pushes me gently back to laying my head on his shoulder. "Have you regretted moving out of New York? And especially moving out for me?" He asks me. I can hear the worry in his voice, the insecurity coming out along the question. "Never. I didn't even need a second thought on it. And between me and you, I don't think I will ever regret it." I say, turning my head to look at him. "You are saying that because I am right here." He states and I shake my head no. "I am saying that because it is how I feel. It was one of my greatest choices. Living with you is dreamy. And I will never regret leaving my tiny, lonely apartment for our big, aesthetically pleasing, warm, full of love house." I say and hear him hum in satisfaction. "Great. Cause I think moving in with me in California was one of your greatest choices." He replies, smiling from ear to ear.

"Baby... Babe..." I hear Ashton's voice as he shakes me lightly. "My mom called and she needs me there early." He whispers, stroking my back. "Oh, shit. Wait a moment, let me just put on something real quick." I groan, trying to get up. "No, no. I'll go over now and come pick you up for dinner. Sleep and take your time getting ready." He assures me, kissing my forehead softly. "Are you sure you don't want me to come now? I can help with whatever." I yawn. "I am sure. Love you, see you in a few hours." He whispers, leaving a kiss on my lips before he gets up from the bed. "Love you. Take care." I say as he leaves the room.

I tried going back to sleep but all that I achieved was letting myself rest 20 more minutes. Since there is no point for me to twist and turn on the bed, I decide to get up, order a small snack and a cup of coffee and get ready for dinner. Technically, I have more than 5 hours until food will be served, but taking my time to glam up is always a pleasant time for me. So, I sprawl out all my makeup, well, the makeup I packed for the trip, I put on a mask and some music and I have my own little dress-up game.

I usually don't feel anxious about having dinner with either of our families, but this is going to be the first time both our families will be together. Which of course is enough to put me in so much stress to turn me into a nervous wreck. Good thing is that this time Ashton will be there to go through that with me. "Love, are you ready?" I hear Ashton's voice, signaling that he is here. I peak my head out of the bathroom door, smiling as I see him change his clothes. "I am as ready as I can be. You seem to be the one who is not, though." I giggle, walking out of the bathroom. "Just a quick change. I'll be done until you have your shoes on." He replies. I run my hand over his bare back and hum, admiring the firm muscles under my touch. "Or maybe we can stall it a bit..." I suggest, moving in front of him and tracing his chest with my finger. "We could, but then we would have to deal with a hungry mob." He replies, earning a groan from me. "You look really gorgeous today, princess." He whispers, pulling me to his body by my waist. "Do I?" I wiggle my eyebrows. "You always do. But today... Damn today..." He groans and I smirk, biting my bottom lip. "Well, you don't have enough time to admire me right now. We have to go face the hungry mob." I tease him and move away from him, smirking mischievously as I sit down to put on my shoes.  

"Where is everyone? They are supposed to be here by now..." I ask as we enter the house. People are supposed to be in here, at least my close family and his. "They are probably in the backyard. That's what my mom wanted me for. We thought that it is too nice of a day to stay in, plus, it will be easier to fit everyone in the backyard than in the dining room." Ashton replies as he sets the gifts on the island. He takes my hand in his and we walk to the backyard, preparing ourselves for an evening with our families. "Hi, guys... Merry Christmas." I cheer as I see everyone gathered in the backyard. "Merry Christmas." Everyone cheers as well. I move to hug everyone and wish them individually, smiling brightly as I feel Ashton's eyes on me. "Do you need any help with setting up?" I ask Anne-Marie after I am done greeting everyone. "No honey. I have everything under control." She smiles at me. "If you need any help, I am right here." I state and she nods. "I appreciate that." She assures me. I feel a tap on my shoulder, getting my attention to the person behind me. I find Ashton, smiling softly at me. "Mind if I steal my girl for a while?" Ashton asks his mom who shakes her head no. "Just be here soon. Food will be served in a bit." She says as Ashton wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me inside. "Where are you taking me?" I ask once we are out of earshot. "I want to show you something in my childhood bedroom." He says, making me slap his shoulder. "Ashton Fletcher Irwin, we are in a house full of our relatives." I protest but he chuckles. "Not that, you sex-crazed freak." He giggles, shaking his head. "What do you want to show me?" I ask. "If you stay patient for 30 more seconds, you will find out." He replies, unlocking his old bedroom door.

He gestures me to get in, holding the door, and waiting. I step in, finding the blinders closed and the only source of light coming from the fairy lights that are hanging around the room. I look around the room, finding pictures hanging from strings on the walls. The pictures are polaroids, taken during our dates, some from our everyday life. Others that are candid and I didn't know they existed. I touch one of them, inspecting it and finding that it is one from the first time I visited on tour, 4 or 5 months into our relationship. In the picture, I am hugging him like a koala and he is hugging me while laughing. This must have been taken by Calum; he was always our paparazzi and biggest supporter of our relationship. The next picture is from a photo booth, 4 little pictures, 4 pictures where Ashton and I look like we are kids again. "Ash, this is beautiful." I gasp, turning to take a look at my boyfriend. My hands fly to my mouth as I find him down on one knee, smiling at me. My heart stops beating, I refuse to believe that this is real for a moment. "My beautiful (Y/N). You said I am good at saying the right things, in the right way, but truth is that every time I look at you, words tangle and they reform into nothing. I lose my words just by looking at you. But somehow, you are my biggest muse. I get scared of losing you, so most of the nights I jump out of sleep, just to find you next to me. And when I see you there, I feel my mind relax and I feel content. I have everything that I need, right in front of me. And all I want, all I wish is for you to accept spending the rest of your life with me. So, (Y/F/N) (Y/M/N) (Y/L/N), will you honor me and become my wife?" He asks, looking at me for my reaction. I am full-on sobbing right now, feeling my heart flutter in my chest as I try to find the words. "Yes! Yes... Oh my God, yes!" I say, sniffling, kneeling down in front of him. I cup his cheeks with my hands, bringing my lips to his. He kisses me back softly, holding me close. "I love you, so so much." He whispers as he takes my hand in his. "I love you, so much." I giggle as he slips the ring on my finger. "It looks so much better on you than on the box." He jokes, stroking his thumb over the ring. "Everything looks great on me." I chuckle and he smiles at me. "I can't wait to see you on your wedding dress." He whispers, pecking on my forehead.

My Masterlist /  Friends or More

[outlawnurse]

Untitled - Part III

A RDR/RDR2 Fanfic Written by @ninja-nurse

Warning: Language, Violence, Blood, Spoilers

Part I | Part II | Part III

It had been almost two weeks since the woman had woken up.  Her wounds were healing, and she was getting stronger.  She'd started helping around camp as much as she could.  Arthur and Hosea were scouting a job in Blackwater, while Dutch had taken Micah, Davey and Mac with him to scout a job that Micah had brought to his attention.

Sean walked over to the woman, as she sat alone, after finishing her chores, "Caitie?" She looked up at him. "I got you a present." She looked at the box, "That's... for me?" "Open it."  He smiled, holding it for her. She grinned, standing up.  She carefully took the lid off, dropping it to the ground beside her.  She folded back the paper inside.  She gasped, "Sean!  They're beautiful!" "Karen went with me to pick them out."  He smiled, proudly, "You really like them?" She pulled out the matching double action revolvers.  They were silver with white grips with a cougar etched into it.  She played with them, "The weight and balence is perfect.  She aimed the weapon." "I'm glad you like them!" She pulled the new gunbelt out of the box, strapping it on over her skirt, putting the guns in the holsters.  Something caught her eye, "You got me a knife too?" "Keep looking." "Bullets?"  She took out two boxes of ammunition for the revolvers, "Sean, this is all too much!  I can't..." "It's fine.  I know you lost yours... that day.  I was able to sell some stuff at the traders a while back, so I had a little extra money.  I couldn't thing of anything better to spend it on than this." "Thank you!"  She hugged him. "Now you just need to heal up, so we can go run some jobs together again." She smiled, not looking up, as she loaded the two guns, "This means a lot, Sean.  Thank you." He watched her, as she aimed the gun at nothing, "I'm glad you're with us, Cait." "I missed you." "I missed you too."  He smiled, "I haven't seen my family since I left Ireland.  You're like a sister to me.  I don't even know what I would do if I lost you." "I'm not going anywhere."  She holstered her new gun. He smiled at her. "So... You and Karen, huh?" "Yeah, no, I mean...  We're friends?" She nodded, "Uh huh, but you want more." "She's beautiful." "She is."  She nodded, "Have you actually told her how you feel?" He didn't say anything. "Sean, if we've learned nothing else living this life, it's that it's too short.  If you want something, you should just take it." "Do you think I should?" "I don't care what you do, but if she makes you happy..."  She shrugged. "How have you never married?" "I'm a wanted outlaw."  She shrugged, "I think most men are probably intimidated by me once they find out who I am." "Was there ever anyone?" "There was one man...  Thomas Ryan."  She smiled, "He was from Dublin.  He was a good man.  He was willing to have me." "What happened?" "He was killed."  She said, "Some two bit outlaw wannabe decided he wanted to rob the bank in Blackwater a couple years ago."  She rolled her eyes, shaking her head, "Thomas was there trying to get a loan to by some land for us to...  Anyway, he didn't make it." "What happened to the man who killed him?" She looked at him. He nodded, "Did you get the money he took too?" "Two thousand dollars."  She nodded. "Good for you."  He nodded. She nodded, "I still miss him.  He didn't deserve that.  He was a good man.  He always did right by me.  Even my father liked him, and you know him... He didn't like anyone." "Ain't that the truth." She nodded.

*That Night*

"Miss McCutcheon." She looked up at the man, a small shaw wrapped around her shoulders, as it had gotten chilly since the sun had set. "I thought you could use something to warm you up."  He handed her a cup of coffee. "Thank you, Mr. Morgan."  She smiled politely. "Sure."  He nodded, "I'm somewhat known in these parts for my coffee making skills." "Is that what you're known for, Mr. Morgan?"  She grinned, looking up at him again. He looked at her, smirking shyly. She took a sip from the metal cup, "It's very good."   He took off his hat, running his hand through his short blonde hair, "May I sit?" She nodded, sipping at the hot beverage. "How are you holding up?" He returned his hat to his head. "I'm... holding." "I didn't know your father very well, but from what Dutch has told us about him, he was a good man, despite his career choices.  He didn't deserve to go out like that." "Thank you for saying so."  She looked into the cup.

They were both quiet for a few minutes.

"I want to thank you for getting me to the doctor that day.  I wouldn't be here right now if it weren't for you." "Oh, it was nothing, darlin'."  He nodded, "I'm just glad you're ok." "It wasn't nothing."  She looked at him, taking in his masculine features, as the shadows from the fire danced across his face, "I owe you." "You don't owe me a thing."   She searched his eyes, unsure as to what she was looking for. He felt his cheeks grow warm, as he blushed, breaking his gaze.  He cleared his throat, "Do you remember anything from what happened?" She sighed, "I ... No?" He looked at her again. She took a quick breath, "Did you ever have that feeling like you are forgetting something really important, and it's right there, but you just... can't... remember?" He nodded. "That's how I've felt since I woke up." He sighed, "I'm sorry."

She lowered her head, finishing the coffee that was now cold, "How was your trip to Blackwater with Hosea?" "It went well.  We scouted a job that I think would be pretty lucritive for us." "That's good."  She nodded, "Dutch and Micah should be back in the next day or so, I imagine." He nodded. "This job Micah was talking about.  It sounded like a big one." "Ah, I wouldn't listen to much to what that idiot has to say." "You two don't get along."  She commented. "I don't ... trust him." "You've got to have trust in this business if you're going to accomplish anyting." "I've been with Dutch since I was a kid, and this guy comes a long a couple months ago, and he's like Dutch's new golden child... besides Marston that is." She looked at him, "You don't trust him because you think he's going to take your place." "I don't trust him because he's a son of a bitch." "Be that as it may, Mr. Morgan, from everything I've heard about you from my father, I don't think you have to worry about your place with Mr. Van der Linde.  The man talks about you like a son." "I guess."  He scratched his beard. "If Mr. Bell is the fool you say he is, he'll dig his grave soon enough." He nodded, "One can only hope." "Do you want me to shoot him for you?" The man snortled, not expecting that responce, "I really do, but I suppose it's not the best of ideas right now." "You let me know when."  She nodded. "You'd do that for me?" "You saved my life.  The least I can do is take some bloody arsehole out for you." "Noted." "I should get to bed."  She said, handing him the empty coffee cup, "Thank you for the coffee." "You're welcome." Her hand lingered on his, "We'll have to do this again.  I like talking with you." "I'd like that." She kissed him on the cheek, bravely, putting her hand on his shoulder, feeling him tense, "Good night, Mr. Morgan." "Good night, Miss McCutcheon."  He cleared his throat, feeling his face burn.

*The Next Morning*

Caitlin walked up to the group, eating breakfast around the fire.  She held her side, as it hurt her, "Sean." He looked up, "Good mornin'." She sighed, heavily, "I need to borrow your horse." "Good mornin', Sean.  How're ya doin', Caitie?  I'm feelin' much better, so I am.  Tanks for askin'.  How're you doin' today, Sean?  Oh, I'm grand!  I've got me best friend back, and..." "You always were a dramatic one, Sean Macguire."  She shook her head, "Can I borrow your horse or not?" "...and just where do you think you're going?"  Susan walked over to her, overhearing the conversation, "You're still healing.  You're in no shape to be riding all the way back to the McCutcheon Ranch." "I'm feelin' much better.  I need to...  I have to go home." Sean looked at her, "Oh, love, there's nothin' to go home to.  I thought Dutch talked to you about this before he left.  The house... the barn..." "He did."  She interriped him, not wanting to hear it again, "It's just something I have to do.  You know I'm just going to steal the horse anyway, so you might as well just let me take 'im." He rolled his eyes, standing up, "You wouldn't." "...because it would be the first time I stole your horse?" The two stared each other down. Arthur caught wind of the argument, walking over. "Goddamn it!"  He growled, too proud to admit that he was intimidated by the woman, "Fine, but I'm going with you." "Fine."  She flapped her arms, "Let's go!"  She gestured toward the horse. "Right now." "Yes, right..."  She closed her eyes, sighing, "Sean!" "Ok!"  He jumped, following her.

"Mr. Morgan," Susan grabbed his arm, "will you go with them?" "Where are they going?" "Caitlin has a burning desire to go home and won't take no for an answer." Karen snickered, "I think it's more like Sean is too scared of her to say no." Arthur nodded. "I think the girl needs to get some closure... to say goodbye." "Yep."  He followed the two, "Marston!" He turned his head, looking up, as he finished his coffee. "Are you comin'?" "Well, I got nothin' better to do."  He shrugged, following him.

*McCutcheon Ranch*

Caitlin stood at the entrance of the ranch, looking at the devestation.  She was overwhelmed with intense anger and sadness.  Her jaw was clinched tight.  Her hands were in tight balls at her sides.  She took a few steps, looking at the body in front of her. "I thought you said you cleaned this place up?"  She looked at Sean. "I guess we missed one.  I'm sorry, Caitie." "You guess you missed one."  She muttered under her breath. She lifted her skirt, kicking the man, yelling, "Fuck you, O'Driscoll!  Let me fucking find you!  I'm going to fuck your day up!" The corners of Arthur's mouth turned up a bit, as he watched her loot the body for a silver pocket watch and seventy four cents. "We already buried your da."  Sean called to her, "Your brothers...  They're..." "I imagine I know where to find 'em, Sean."  She snapped, as the family cemetary was just out back of the once two story farm house. "You don't scare me, Caitie."  He snapped back. She glared at him. He sat back in the saddle. John chuckled, quietly, "She might be scarier than you there, Arthur." "Oh, I don't doubt that."  He grinned.

The woman suddenly whistled, loudly.  She didn't hear anything.  She took a few steps forward.  She whistled again. "What's she doing?"  John whispered, leaning in to Sean. He shook his head.

All of a sudden, a horse's whinny could be heard in the distance. Tears filled her eyes, as she whistled again, "Gus!" The grullo stallion galloped toward them, bucking. "Gus!"  She ran toward the horse, as he reared, bucking again, before taking a few steps toward her.  She wrapped her arms around his neck. The horse nodded his head, swishing his tail. "You still have that old colt?"  Sean asked. "Of course!"  She pat him. "That's a fine looking horse."  Arthur nodded. "Thank you."  She smiled, turning back to the horse, "I caught him, broke him, and trained him myself."  She pet him for a minute, "I'm going to ... do a few things.  Why don't you boys check what's left of the house for any supplies for camp.  Whatever you find is yours." The three head toward the house, as she made her way to the collapsed, burnt out barn.

They weren't seperated for more than five minutes, when two quick gunshots rang out. The men looked at each other, drawing their weapons before running quickly toward the sound.

"... touching my shit, you son of a bitch!"  She looted the man, before kicking him. "Are you ok?"  Arthur asked her, holstering his weapon. "I'm fine."  She sighed, putting the man's belongings in her satchel, "Apparently this guy thought he could rob my house.  Not today!"  She yelled at the dead man, as a pool of blood gathered near her feet. "Well, I'm glad to see your getting back to yourself, Caitie."  Sean chuckled. "He was stealing my..." He put his hands up, "Relax, love.  I'm on your side." She sighed, "Let's get done." "Do you always do that when you kill someone?"  Arthur gesture toward the body. "What?" "Take their shit?" "I mean," she seemed a little taken aback by the question, "it's not like he's going to need it anymore." Arthur nodded with approval. "You're OK with me killing a man, but draw the line at robbing the body afterward?" He laughed, "No, darlin'.  I like how thorough you are." "I bet you will."  Her raised her eyebrows. John smiled, looking at the man. "Let's get back to the house and see if we can find anything."  Arthur walked away, his face burning with embarassment. Sean chuckled, "You haven't even changed a bit." She smiled.

The group gathered everything they could from what was left of the ranch, and waited for Caitlin to meet them. "Go get her."  Arthur said, "We can still get back by dark." Sean walked toward the family's small cemetary.  He stopped when he saw the woman, kneeling on the ground in front of her father's grave, sobbing. "I promise you that I will find him, and I will kill him myself."  She coughed out. Sean hesitated, "Caitie?" She looked up at him, wiping her eyes, quickly. "Erm," he feared her wrath, "we're ready when you are." She nodded, putting her hand out. He helped her to her feet.

The two walked back to where John and Arthur waited atop their horses. "Are you ok?"  John asked. "I want Colm O'Driscoll.' "Revenge is a fools game."  Arthur said, as Sean helped the woman to mount her horse. She looked at the man, "You don't have to help me.  I'm just telling you... that man is going to die, and it's going to be by my hand, so help me God." Arthur looked at her, seeing the pain in her eyes, "You ready?" She nodded. He turned his horse, spurring him forward. The rest of them followed.

To Be Continued............

[teehjayy]

Easier than others

Pairing: T’Challa and his little girl

Summary: T’Challa shares a quiet bittersweet moment with his daughter one morning.

Warnings: Everything I touch turns to angst and tragedy.

A/N: Another depressing T’Challa fic coz why not?

Wowowowowowowoowowowow my ovaries out here doing backflips

“Baba, can you fix my hair?”

T'Challa looked up from the papers he was signing, a mildly surprised expression gracing his features. It quickly turned to one of amusement, which he tried to hide, as he took in his daughter’s appearance. Her hair was matted and unkempt, the heavy mass ready to spring free from the hair tie that loosely secured it out of her face.

“I thought you wanted to try it for yourself from now on?”

N'Yami scowled, puffing her cheeks out like a frog, before exhaling slowly. “I don’t have time to do it right today… Please?”

Chuckling under his breath, T'Challa gestured for her to take the seat opposite his desk as he moved to stand behind it. N'Yami did so, dropping her book bag by her feet.

T'Challa gently pulled the hair free, running his fingers through the thickness. N'Yami whined quietly, twisting her face in pain, as his fingers found knot after knot in her unruly curls. He worked carefully until the pick comb could run through her hair without getting caught.

He tried not to show it, but T'Challa was happy his daughter asked him for help. It seemed as she grew older she wanted to do more things all by herself. Pretty soon she’d be old enough to not want to spend time with him at all.

Bast willing, it would be a long while before then.

“How’s this?”

N'Yami reached out, touching the two new afro puffs as if to test them out. She looked up, gazing upside down at him, a big toothy grin on her lips. “Good! Thank you, baba!”

“You’re welcome,” T'Challa leaned down and kissed her forehead, causing her to make a face and rub at the area furiously.

“Yuck. Don’t do thaaaat! I’m about to go to school, and Auntie Shuri said boys are peft- peftsi… peftiferos?”

“Pestiferous?”

“Yeah!”

T'Challa merely grinned in reply, nudging her towards the covered plate of food that was her breakfast. She clapped eagerly, proceeding to gobble down everything in sight.

T'Challa took his own seat opposite her, as he did every morning. She always liked to have breakfast with him, even when he was so busy, so they had come up with a solution. She would eat in his office while he worked. But T'Challa cherished every moment with his daughter, so much so that as soon as N'Yami stepped into his office, everything else immediately seized to be important.

He smiled as he watched her, the sight tugging at his heart, and the image before him slowly dissolved into another.

When she was out in public, N'Yami’s mother was the perfect definition of grace. She would engage complete strangers in polite small talk, coming off as reserved but yet warm at the same time. Her words were always gentle, and she’d take small bites out of her food and hold her glass a certain way. People often stated she was born for her role as Queen.

But at home, in the privacy of their four bedroom walls, Y/N would be quite the opposite. Oh, she was still the kind and warm woman he loved. In fact, her real self made T'Challa fall harder for her. She’d tease him, dance and run around the room half naked, telling him to let loose, to have fun. She had a loud and unrestrained snortle, and cussed so much and so often she made Mr Krabs’ thirteen bad words look like child’s play.

She wasn’t the most graceful eater either when she really liked something. She was also quite clumsy when she wasn’t paying attention.

N'Yami was the spitting image of her. Sometimes it hurt, looking at her and remembering that Y/N was gone. Not just for himself, but for N'Yami too, growing up without a mother.

T'Challa had been so lost at first, not knowing how he was going to raise a little girl all by himself. But with the unwavering determination and gentle push from the women in his life, he somehow managed to not totally screw up. It helped that raising N'Yami, as well as ruling an entire country, kept him too distracted from thinking about Y/N for so long.

Of course, she asked about her. What little girl wouldn’t want to know about her mother? Most of the time, T'Challa would answer her questions-

“She was always happiest when it rained.”

“She was secretly scared of the Border Tribe rhinos.”

“… Captain America.”

“She loved you more than anything,”

-But sometimes he couldn’t… He just couldn’t.

He couldn’t talk about the day they met, or the song she sang just for him, or even the last words they shared. Maybe that was selfish of him… but until it stopped hurting, that would be his secret to keep. Their secret.

“Daaaaaaaaaddyy!”

“Hm?” T'Challa blinked, his world coming into focus again. He looked beside him to see N'Yami on her tip toes, stretching herself as tall as she could. She slapped a hand to her forehead, shaking her head.

“I’m sorry, N'Yami. Did you need something?”

“I gotta go to school now…” she pushed herself back, opening her arms wide out, an expectant look on her face.

T'Challa smiled soflty and pulled her close, hugging her little frame tightly. Thankfully she didn’t feel like she was too old for his hugs yet.

“Love ya, baba,” came her muffled voice against his shoulder. Her kissed her temple, and this time she didn’t complain. She pulled away and smiled at him.

“I love you too, sweetheart… learn something today, alright?” he teased, setting her down.

N'Yami groaned playfully, throwing her book bag over her shoulders. “Baba, that’s why I go to school,”

T'Challa leaned over the desk and pulled her cheeks lightly. “Baba!” she laughed, pulling herself free.

“Love you!” she waved over her shoulder as she sprinted out of his office, disappearing behind the closed door.

T'Challa finally sighed when he heard her retreating steps turn around the corner.

His eyes easily found the large portrait on the wall of him, his wife, and their beautiful baby girl. Frozen in time, smiling at him from somewhere he could never reach. A moment he could never capture again.

Running a hand over his tired eyes, a sob racked his whole body. Some days were easier than others.

He allowed himself a few minutes to grieve, before pushing himself up. His people needed him.

A smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes ghosted over his lips as he noticed the framed photo of N'Yami’s first day of school on his desk.

All he needed in life was his daughter, and everything would be fine. It had to be.

He just hoped he would one day believe it.

Taglist: @brianabreeze, @myrikal324, @cjphoenix135, @raveennn, @aveatquevale-, @stillheregayandweird, @wakanda-4evr

P.S: N’Yami is actually T’Challa’s biological mother’s name :)